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Synonyms

winning

American  
[win-ing] / ˈwɪn ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of a person or thing that wins.

    Antonyms:
    losing

  2. Usually winnings something that is won, especially money.

  3. Mining.

    1. any opening by which coal is being or has been extracted.

    2. a bed of coal ready for mining.

adjective

  1. that wins; successful or victorious, as in a contest.

    the winning team.
    Antonyms:
    losing

  2. charming; engaging; pleasing.

    a winning child; a winning smile.
    Synonyms:
    winsome, attractive
    Antonyms:
    repulsive
winning British  
/ ˈwɪnɪŋ /

adjective

  1. (of a person, character, etc) charming, engaging, or attractive

    winning ways

    a winning smile

  2. gaining victory

    the winning stroke
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

    1. a shaft or seam of coal

    2. the extraction of coal or ore from the ground

  2. (plural) money, prizes, or valuables won, esp in gambling

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • unwinning adjective
  • winningly adverb
  • winningness noun

Etymology

Origin of winning

1250–1300; Middle English (noun); win 1, -ing 1, -ing 2

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.

He didn’t understand that hitting targets is not the same as winning a war.

From Slate • Apr. 8, 2026

However, the deal’s success hinges on winning support from French billionaire Vincent Bollore— who owns 18.5% of UMG and has further exposure through Vivendi— and China’s Tencent, which holds an 11.4% stake, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Four weeks on from winning England's first World Cup in 11 years, Kildunne returned to club action for Harlequins in front of 2,929 fans at Twickenham Stoop against Loughborough Lightning.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Or could the numbers he might need to put up to win the award be counterproductive to the Dodgers winning another World Series?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

“Did Sherwin have winning or drawing chances against you? How?”

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.