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
Smith equalized on 50 minutes with a fine left-footed strike from the edge of the box and calmly added a second later in the half, only for Leon’s spot kick to cancel out the USA’s narrow advantage.
—
George Ramsay, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
These versions of chai often contain high amounts of sugar, which will cancel out any of those health benefits the tea offers, Crumble Smith warns.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
Miss Manners does not believe that the wife’s rudeness cancels out past kindnesses, but you are now equals — as members and adults.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
In Seattle, locking the clock on daylight saving time would push sunrise to after 8:30 a.m. for more than two months of the year—cancelling out the recent bell changes made by Seattle public schools.
—TIME, 9 Mar. 2024
City teammate Rodri was able to somewhat spare Haaland’s blushes by rescuing a point for the league champion, his late effort canceling out Raheem Sterling’s opener for Chelsea.
—Ben Church, CNN, 18 Feb. 2024
On the field on Sunday, Paulo Dybala converted a penalty for Roma to cancel out Teun Koopmeiners' early opener.
—Daniella Matar, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2024
The idea was that companies could cancel out some of their pollution by paying to protect forests that naturally absorb CO2.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 20 Feb. 2024
With heated rollers and three different strengths, this massager will pummel out knots and cancel out any need for a trip to the spa.
—Melissa Epifano, Peoplemag, 1 Feb. 2024
George Ramsay, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
These versions of chai often contain high amounts of sugar, which will cancel out any of those health benefits the tea offers, Crumble Smith warns.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
Miss Manners does not believe that the wife’s rudeness cancels out past kindnesses, but you are now equals — as members and adults.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
In Seattle, locking the clock on daylight saving time would push sunrise to after 8:30 a.m. for more than two months of the year—cancelling out the recent bell changes made by Seattle public schools.
—TIME, 9 Mar. 2024
City teammate Rodri was able to somewhat spare Haaland’s blushes by rescuing a point for the league champion, his late effort canceling out Raheem Sterling’s opener for Chelsea.
—Ben Church, CNN, 18 Feb. 2024
On the field on Sunday, Paulo Dybala converted a penalty for Roma to cancel out Teun Koopmeiners' early opener.
—Daniella Matar, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2024
The idea was that companies could cancel out some of their pollution by paying to protect forests that naturally absorb CO2.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 20 Feb. 2024
With heated rollers and three different strengths, this massager will pummel out knots and cancel out any need for a trip to the spa.
—Melissa Epifano, Peoplemag, 1 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cancel out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to cancel out
Dictionary Entries Near cancel out
Cite this Entry
“Cancel out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cancel%20out. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share