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
Nothing indicated that the removal credits Microsoft was snapping up were enough to cancel out these emissions, let alone surmount them.
—
Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
The measure was designed to cancel out redistricting changes in Texas that likely favored Republicans.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Democrats put hope in California But Democrats are holding out to pass a new map in California to cancel out Texas.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
Keep your coffee simple—adding sugar or heavy cream can cancel out its potential weight-loss benefits.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
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.
Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
The measure was designed to cancel out redistricting changes in Texas that likely favored Republicans.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Democrats put hope in California But Democrats are holding out to pass a new map in California to cancel out Texas.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
Keep your coffee simple—adding sugar or heavy cream can cancel out its potential weight-loss benefits.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 1 Nov. 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 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share