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
Audi — never one to truly push hard into the proper luxury coupe market, but always working around its edges — has bowed out of the two-door market entirely.
—
Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2025
Mike Shildt also has to be on thin ice after the San Diego Padres bowed out to the Chicago Cubs in a Wild Card Series, marking his second playoff failure in two seasons as Padres manager.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Last year, Clooney penned a New York Times op-ed calling for then-US President Joe Biden to bow out of the presidential race.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Shortly after the in-person meeting, Kacie bowed out in one of the most bizarre breakups ever shown.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bow out
Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2025
Mike Shildt also has to be on thin ice after the San Diego Padres bowed out to the Chicago Cubs in a Wild Card Series, marking his second playoff failure in two seasons as Padres manager.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Last year, Clooney penned a New York Times op-ed calling for then-US President Joe Biden to bow out of the presidential race.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Shortly after the in-person meeting, Kacie bowed out in one of the most bizarre breakups ever shown.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bow out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bow out
Verb
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Max Muncy had just hurt his knee and would be out for a month, a 9-14 stretch when the team lost the bulk of what had been a nine-game division lead.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
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Debate rages on in Pennsylvania as to whether the Eagles offense is too predictable, or simply ineffective after the Eagles lost their second straight game last week, an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Giants on Thursday Night Football.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
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However, compared to his older stepbrothers, his net worth falls a little bit short.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bow out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bow%20out. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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