Guide 188 / 200 5 swaps Formal register
Professional words for “lose”
Five verbs for different kinds of losing.
i · When it mattersTwo lines, no filler
"Lose" is broad. "Forfeit" is for losing rights through an action; "concede" is to give up in an argument; "miss out on" is softer; "relinquish" is formal voluntary loss; "sacrifice" is trading for gain.
ii · The swaps5 ways
- 01Forfeit formal
lose a right through action
Forfeit the discount after the deadline.
- 02Concede formal
give up a point in argument
Concede the pricing objection and move on.
- 03Miss out on neutral
softer loss of opportunity
Miss out on the early pipeline.
- 04Relinquish formal
voluntarily give up
Relinquish the seat on the committee.
- 05Sacrifice neutral
give up for a gain
Sacrifice short-term revenue for retention.