Synonyms of bow out

bow out

verb

as in to lose

to undergo defeat

quite embarrassingly, the top-seeded player bowed out in the first round of competition

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lose
• fall
• throw
• falter
• take the count
• strike out
• tank
• fail
• miss
• crack (up)
• wash out
• collapse
• forfeit
• founder
• fold
• flop
• bomb
• flunk

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• win
• triumph
• prevail
• succeed
• conquer
• flourish
• thrive
• prosper

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bow out

Aledo has a record 12 state championships and hadn’t gone two consecutive years without a title appearance since the 2009 season, before falling in the state semifinals last season and reaching the state quarterfinals in 2024 before bowing out. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026

Of all the musicians in the world—of all the people in the world—only Dolly could make that seem like the perfect way to bow out of the game. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026

At this point, the architects of Bass’ campaign need to burn sage to drive out bad spirits or just bow out altogether. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

With that said, knowing when to bow out is just as much a personal decision as a professional one. — Kara Trott, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026