Lose

SHED

Think of what a snake does with its old skin or how a dog might leave fur behind in summer.

"Lose" hints at "SHED" because one meaning of shed is to discard or let go of something, like losing weight or shedding leaves. The wordplay is straightforward—shed directly fits the idea of losing, whether it’s hair, skin, or even tears. It’s a common verb that works as a synonym here without any hidden tricks.