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
No wonder his reassurances feel hollow — they’re being canceled out by his actions.
—
Anna Pulley, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025
Because purple is opposite yellow on the color wheel, that kind of shampoo cancels out unwanted yellow or brassy tones.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
But that doesn't cancel out the possibility of returning players joining them.
—David Wysong, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Crying doesn’t cancel out years of being a rock star.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cancel out
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Anna Pulley, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025
Because purple is opposite yellow on the color wheel, that kind of shampoo cancels out unwanted yellow or brassy tones.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
But that doesn't cancel out the possibility of returning players joining them.
—David Wysong, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Crying doesn’t cancel out years of being a rock star.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 28 May 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 19 Aug. 2025.
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