BOW OUT Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

bow out

verb

Definition of bow out

as in to lose

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

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of bow out The show will have a new host (Trevor Noah bowed out after six years) and will air/stream on new network platforms — ABC, Disney+ and Hulu — after the show ended a 54-year run on CBS. — Paul Grein, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026 Charleson received rave reviews, but died just seven weeks after bowing out. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 But Netflix bowed out after Paramount eventually upped its offer to buy all of Warner for $31 per share. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 If not, they are destined to bow out much earlier than anyone wants. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bow out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bow out

Verb

Days after losing the governor’s race by a wide margin, Republican Steve Hilton argued Thursday his campaign should serve as a template for future GOP tickets and hinted at a potential second run for governor.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2026
There is no tension between expectation and reality, no concrete regret or achievement, no shift in perspective, nothing gained or lost.

— Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of lose

Verb

Gouzer is confident that Nara’s auction record will eventually fall.

— Daniel Cassady for ARTnews, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2026
Meanwhile, the Exporters Western Cape, a lobby group, told Ramaphosa before the decision that the province’s exports to the US had already fallen 41% with particularly steep declines in juice, grapes and citrus.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of fall

Browse Nearby Words

bowmen

bow out

bows

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“Bow out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bow%20out. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of bow out

verb

Example Sentences

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