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
California Democrats responded with a map, approved by voters last month, that could allow the party to gain up to five seats and effectively cancel out Texas' effort.
—
Christian Orozco, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025
The sadness doesn’t cancel out the joy.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
The redistricting battle has set off a national war that’s prompted blue and red states alike nationwide to pass new maps as both parties try to cancel out the other’s gains.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2025
Haaland’s goal in the ninth minute against Arsenal was cancelled out in the 90th minute by Gabriel Martinelli after a backs-to-the-wall approach for 80-plus minutes.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cancel out
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Christian Orozco, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025
The sadness doesn’t cancel out the joy.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
The redistricting battle has set off a national war that’s prompted blue and red states alike nationwide to pass new maps as both parties try to cancel out the other’s gains.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2025
Haaland’s goal in the ninth minute against Arsenal was cancelled out in the 90th minute by Gabriel Martinelli after a backs-to-the-wall approach for 80-plus minutes.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cancel out
Cite this Entry
“Cancel out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cancel%20out. Accessed 4 Jan. 2026.
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