bow out

verb

Definition of bow outnext
as in to lose
to undergo defeat quite embarrassingly, the top-seeded player bowed out in the first round of competition

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bow out But Netflix bowed out after Paramount eventually upped its offer to buy all of Warner for $31 per share. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 If not, they are destined to bow out much earlier than anyone wants. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 On Wednesday the Sox advanced to the American League Division Series with a 7-3 win over the Houston Astros in their wild-card series, about three hours before the Cubs bowed out of their wild-card series with a 4-1 loss to the San Diego Padres. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 Netflix won the initial stage of the bidding war, which started last December, before ultimately bowing out. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bow out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bow out
  1. lose
  2. fall
Verb
  • Meta Platforms, which is pushing its Muse AI agent, lost 7% after reporting stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit fell short.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The distance between pilot and production is where a lot of companies are losing footing.
    — Chris Koehler, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of lose
Verb
  • In most cases where the acquirer is en route to paying a price amounting to a humongous PE, the acquirer’s stock falls.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The Orionid meteor shower creates one of the most brilliant displays in the night sky each fall — but this year’s celestial event may have a dimmer showing due to a bright moon.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of fall

Browse Nearby Words

bowmen
bow out
bows
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bow out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bow%20out. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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