cancel out
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
Daniel Munoz’s goal was cancelled out in the second half, but Luis Diaz added to his assist with the go-ahead goal.
—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
More than 130 flights have been canceled out of Chicago Midway and O'Hare because of dangerous weather churning its way across the Midwest, leaving more than 35,000 Illinois residents without power.
—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
18 June 2026
The amount was roughly equal to tariffs taken in during the month, according to a Treasury Department statement Wednesday, meaning that refunds essentially cancelled out the government’s duties revenue.
—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
But, over the last two weeks, that basic picture of Republican gerrymanders mostly cancelled out by Democratic gerrymanders has changed.
—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cancel out
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.
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
More than 130 flights have been canceled out of Chicago Midway and O'Hare because of dangerous weather churning its way across the Midwest, leaving more than 35,000 Illinois residents without power.
—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
18 June 2026
The amount was roughly equal to tariffs taken in during the month, according to a Treasury Department statement Wednesday, meaning that refunds essentially cancelled out the government’s duties revenue.
—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
But, over the last two weeks, that basic picture of Republican gerrymanders mostly cancelled out by Democratic gerrymanders has changed.
—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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 1 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
