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

Lina Boussaha had scored late for Algeria, canceling out Kautar Azraf’s goal before the break for the hosts. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

On the flip side, a New York resident working in Philadelphia owes Philly’s nonresident wage tax on top of full New York State and city resident taxes, and it isn’t settled whether the credit system fully cancels out that overlap. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 27 July 2026

Both of their adaptations are still in play, with the second not canceling out the first. — David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026

The report acknowledges in one breath that no boycotts have targeted individuals and then proceeds in the following pages to argue against that fact, effectively canceling out the disclaimer. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026

Rhymes for cancel out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout