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
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
Unfortunately, as happened that time, the goal was cancelled out here, too.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Earlier, Mainz's Sheraldo Becker had scored to cancel out Andrej Ilic's opener for Union.
—ABC News, 10 May 2026
Their action engendered a response from Democrats and a decision by California voters that canceled out the potential gains of Republicans in Texas by conducting a partisan gerrymander of their own.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 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.
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
Unfortunately, as happened that time, the goal was cancelled out here, too.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Earlier, Mainz's Sheraldo Becker had scored to cancel out Andrej Ilic's opener for Union.
—ABC News, 10 May 2026
Their action engendered a response from Democrats and a decision by California voters that canceled out the potential gains of Republicans in Texas by conducting a partisan gerrymander of their own.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 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 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
