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
The growth and progress of the Blue Jackets’ up-and-coming forwards should cancel out some shooting percentage regression concerns.
—
Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
With Prescott’s performance canceled out by yet another rough defensive outing, the result could have easily found itself in a much more unfavorable manner.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
The headset's mic also cancels out background noise, so your teammates actually hear your calls, not the chaos around you.
—PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
However, the party that was scheduled for after the show has been canceled out of respect.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 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.
Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
With Prescott’s performance canceled out by yet another rough defensive outing, the result could have easily found itself in a much more unfavorable manner.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
The headset's mic also cancels out background noise, so your teammates actually hear your calls, not the chaos around you.
—PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
However, the party that was scheduled for after the show has been canceled out of respect.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 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 17 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share