as in fell
to undergo defeat
quite embarrassingly, the top-seeded player bowed out in the first round of competition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 bowed out
Shortly after that debate, Biden bowed out of the presidential race.
—
Scott Detrow, NPR, 2 June 2026
In fairness, two of the best Eastern Conference teams bowed out in the postseason before the Knicks got the chance to face them.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 1 June 2026
The Wild bowed out of the playoffs with a 4-1 series loss to the Avalanche that to some felt closer.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026
Eventually, Caruso bowed out of both contests and Bass wound up, instead, with an opponent from the left, City Councilmember Nithya Raman.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Netflix bowed out of the race in late February, when Paramount made a new offer that topped Netflix’s final bid and the streamer drew the line at going any higher.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Hansi Flick’s side bowed out despite a stirring recovery after losing the first leg 2-0.
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Scott Detrow, NPR, 2 June 2026
In fairness, two of the best Eastern Conference teams bowed out in the postseason before the Knicks got the chance to face them.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 1 June 2026
The Wild bowed out of the playoffs with a 4-1 series loss to the Avalanche that to some felt closer.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026
Eventually, Caruso bowed out of both contests and Bass wound up, instead, with an opponent from the left, City Councilmember Nithya Raman.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Netflix bowed out of the race in late February, when Paramount made a new offer that topped Netflix’s final bid and the streamer drew the line at going any higher.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Hansi Flick’s side bowed out despite a stirring recovery after losing the first leg 2-0.
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowed out
Verb
-
Piccotto effectively plays the regret of a mother forced to reckon with the loss of a child, the horror of engaging with that child again, while also grappling with her own role as a mother felled by the scourge of addiction.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
In a Western Conference Final where a few other key Colorado Avalanche players are already playing through injuries, the NHL’s leading goal scorer this season was felled trying to prevent someone else from scoring.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
The Portland Trail Blazers took them to five games, the Minnesota Timberwolves (an ailing team) took them to six games, and the Thunder lost in seven.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
Past Republican efforts to quickly override state AI laws appear to have lost momentum, setting up a complex future battle.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The Broncos faltered in the snow, the Nuggets floundered on the hardwood, and now the Avalanche fail on ice.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
That faith in his ability and focus had faltered at times over the course of this tempestuous and trying campaign, but it has been restored at the last.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bowed out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowed%20out. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
