cancel out

phrasal verb

canceled out or cancelled out; canceling out or cancelling out; cancels out

: to reduce the effect of (something) : to be equal to (something) in force or importance but have an opposite effect

The costs cancel out the benefits.

Examples of cancel out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Theoretically, this enables emissions to be canceled out, but in reality carbon offsets are plagued by corruption and ineffectiveness. —Andrew Follett, National Review, 17 May 2024

These offsets are an effort to cancel out one’s own carbon dioxide pollution. —Alexa St. John, Fortune, 9 May 2024

Does that environmental damage cancel out the green benefits of giving up gasoline? —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 9 May 2024

The hue helps cancel out any redness associated with irritated or acne-prone skin. —Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 3 May 2024

Apple used offsets to try to cancel out around 500,000 metric tons of its carbon dioxide emissions in 2023. —Justine Calma, The Verge, 18 Apr. 2024

Smith equalized on 50 minutes with a fine left-footed strike from the edge of the box and calmly added a second later in the half, only for Leon’s spot kick to cancel out the USA’s narrow advantage. —George Ramsay, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

These versions of chai often contain high amounts of sugar, which will cancel out any of those health benefits the tea offers, Crumble Smith warns. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024

Miss Manners does not believe that the wife’s rudeness cancels out past kindnesses, but you are now equals — as members and adults. —Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024