bow out

verb

bowed out; bowing out; bows out

intransitive verb

: retire, withdraw

also : lose

bowed out in the first round of the tournament

Synonyms of bow out

• lose
• fall

Examples of bow out in a Sentence

quite embarrassingly, the top-seeded player bowed out in the first round of competition

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1987, after going 55-27 that season but bowing out in the first round of the playoffs, Motta resigned from the Mavericks in frustration about personnel decisions. —Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026

But his departure follows that of a fellow vehicle program manager — Model Y leader Emmanuel Lamacchia — along with several other executives and company veterans who bowed out in recent months. —Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026

Lake Highland built a state dynasty by winning 11 of 12 available FHSAA titles through the 2019-20 season before bowing out of the state series to boldly travel the country to grapple with other powerhouses. —Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026

Five others should consider bowing out. —George Skelton, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bow out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout