as in to lose
to undergo defeat
quite embarrassingly, the top-seeded player bowed out in the first round of competition
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Recent Examples of bow out
The fallout for the HFPA group included the decision by longtime TV partner NBC to bow out of airing the 2022 Golden Globe Awards ceremony.
—
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 July 2025
Kaylan bowed out after the 2017 tour, following back surgery and two heart procedures.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
In the 2024 presidential election, Trump allies worked to boost third party candidates Jill Stein of the Green Party, Cornel West and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (before Kennedy bowed out to endorse Trump) to peel off votes from Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 9 July 2025
But there will be players who bow out of next week’s All-Star Game because of injuries or other personal decisions.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bow out
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 July 2025
Kaylan bowed out after the 2017 tour, following back surgery and two heart procedures.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
In the 2024 presidential election, Trump allies worked to boost third party candidates Jill Stein of the Green Party, Cornel West and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (before Kennedy bowed out to endorse Trump) to peel off votes from Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 9 July 2025
But there will be players who bow out of next week’s All-Star Game because of injuries or other personal decisions.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bow out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bow out
Verb
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Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Aug. 2025
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Although Gunther only recently won back the World Heavyweight Championship and probably shouldn’t be losing again, Punk has taken plenty of big losses and badly needs a marquee win, too.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Pair them with billowy blouses to close out the summer, then whip out your favorite chunky knit sweaters come fall for a stylish, boho look.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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Then the tarp came out as rain that had been falling around Bristol much of Saturday turned heavy and delayed the start.—
Teresa M. Walker,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bow out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bow%20out. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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