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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Recent Examples of bow out
Vegas ends up in a wild-card spot and bows out in the opening round.
—
The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Powers is really a one-time star quarterback Russ Holliday who bowed out of the game in disgrace following an incident where his oversized ego over-engaged with a fan.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Microsoft has been slowly bowing out of the console wars by putting more of its previously Xbox-exclusive games on rival platforms; with the Gears of War franchise being a pillar of Xbox’s brand identity, Reloaded’s serves a slick entry point to introducing the series to a whole new ecosystem.
—George Yang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
In fact, Spielberg was given several opportunities to bow out, which would have ended with Jaws never being made, as opposed to a different director stepping in.
—Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bow out
The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Powers is really a one-time star quarterback Russ Holliday who bowed out of the game in disgrace following an incident where his oversized ego over-engaged with a fan.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Microsoft has been slowly bowing out of the console wars by putting more of its previously Xbox-exclusive games on rival platforms; with the Gears of War franchise being a pillar of Xbox’s brand identity, Reloaded’s serves a slick entry point to introducing the series to a whole new ecosystem.
—George Yang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
In fact, Spielberg was given several opportunities to bow out, which would have ended with Jaws never being made, as opposed to a different director stepping in.
—Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bow out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bow out
Verb
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Max Muncy had just hurt his knee and would be out for a month, a 9-14 stretch when the team lost the bulk of what had been a nine-game division lead.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
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Debate rages on in Pennsylvania as to whether the Eagles offense is too predictable, or simply ineffective after the Eagles lost their second straight game last week, an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Giants on Thursday Night Football.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
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However, compared to his older stepbrothers, his net worth falls a little bit short.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bow out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bow%20out. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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