as in fell
to undergo defeat
quite embarrassingly, the top-seeded player bowed out in the first round of competition
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Recent Examples of bowed out
Reacher star Alan Ritchson was originally attached to opposite Midthunder but bowed out due to scheduling conflicts.
—
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Jones filed to run for the Zone 4 board seat in 2020, but bowed out of the race prior to the election.
—Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2025
Despite a strong regular season and some analysts projecting another potential title push, the Lakers bowed out early in the playoffs, losing 4-1 in the first round to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Audi — never one to truly push hard into the proper luxury coupe market, but always working around its edges — has bowed out of the two-door market entirely.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2025
Mike Shildt also has to be on thin ice after the San Diego Padres bowed out to the Chicago Cubs in a Wild Card Series, marking his second playoff failure in two seasons as Padres manager.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Shortly after the in-person meeting, Kacie bowed out in one of the most bizarre breakups ever shown.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 4 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
Behind Napheesa Collier, the Lynx were easily the W’s best team this year; in this series, Collier bowed out with an ankle injury and Minnesota won just one game.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Jones filed to run for the Zone 4 board seat in 2020, but bowed out of the race prior to the election.
—Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2025
Despite a strong regular season and some analysts projecting another potential title push, the Lakers bowed out early in the playoffs, losing 4-1 in the first round to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Audi — never one to truly push hard into the proper luxury coupe market, but always working around its edges — has bowed out of the two-door market entirely.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2025
Mike Shildt also has to be on thin ice after the San Diego Padres bowed out to the Chicago Cubs in a Wild Card Series, marking his second playoff failure in two seasons as Padres manager.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Shortly after the in-person meeting, Kacie bowed out in one of the most bizarre breakups ever shown.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 4 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
Behind Napheesa Collier, the Lynx were easily the W’s best team this year; in this series, Collier bowed out with an ankle injury and Minnesota won just one game.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowed out
Verb
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The trees had already been felled and piled by the landowner; the log piles were initially slated to be burned to reduce the fire hazard.—
Syris Valentine,
Scientific American,
16 Oct. 2025
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Grainier‘s an itinerant lumber man who worked the Pacific Northwest at the turn of the 20th century, felling timber and building railroads.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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How to Watch Boise State vs Nevada Boise State enters as a massive favorite, having only lost two games this year, while winning five.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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And the Eagles lost to the Giants two weeks ago.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The industry also plans to mix hydrogen into its existing gas utility pipeline network, but those efforts have faltered amid local opposition.—
NPR,
NPR,
13 Oct. 2025
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In a topsy-turvy season where AFC faves Kansas City and Baltimore have faltered, and Jacksonville and Indianapolis have been major surprises, people still want to discount Tomlin and the Black and Gold.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowed out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowed%20out. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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