Crossword Genius

Fails to win (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

loses

'fails to win' is the definition.
('lose' can be a synonym of 'fail to win')

This is the entire clue.

(Other definitions for loses that I've seen before include "Mislays or is defeated" , "Goes down" , "Is unable to find" , "Misplaces" , "Misoplaces" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror, the Evening Standard, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Universal.
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