lost cause

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The upset victories thrilled Southern California’s Latino political class, who long saw Whittier as a Republican-run lost cause.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

As John Steinbeck assured Jackie Kennedy in 1964: “You talked of Scotland as a lost cause and that is not true. Scotland is an unwon cause.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

If you were considered a lost cause, how were you able to make such a surprising comeback?

From Slate • Nov. 19, 2025

After staying out to applaud the away end at full-time, he deadpanned that his situation was "a lost cause" when asked if he could turn things around with time.

From BBC • Oct. 5, 2025

This looked like a lost cause, and I was real ready to go.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck