The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word NO-WIN
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
N
O
-
W
I
N
More clues leading to the result NO-WIN
- Currently batting, with victory impossible for either side
- At present concerned with a situation doomed to failure
- Currently popular but without hope of success
- Just arrived in store — hopeless situation
- Without extremes of cunning, such a situation is hopeless
- Currently hip but certain to end in failure
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "a situation doomed to failure" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case a situation doomed to failure = no-win.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does NO-WIN mean?
NO-WIN adjective- Bound to end in failure.