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
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
Under pressure from his party, Swalwell bowed out of the governor’s race Sunday — and then the House on Monday.
—Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 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
In late February, Ellison’s Paramount Skydance prevailed in a nearly six-month bidding war after Netflix unexpectedly bowed out when the elder Ellison agreed to financially back his son’s $111-billion deal.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Video from the scene shows a pile of concrete rubble in a stairwell, with bowed out walls on the side of the well.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
In 2023, before a sublime run to the title, UConn went 14-8 in the Big East and bowed out to Marquette in the conference semifinals.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
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
Under pressure from his party, Swalwell bowed out of the governor’s race Sunday — and then the House on Monday.
—Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 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
In late February, Ellison’s Paramount Skydance prevailed in a nearly six-month bidding war after Netflix unexpectedly bowed out when the elder Ellison agreed to financially back his son’s $111-billion deal.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Video from the scene shows a pile of concrete rubble in a stairwell, with bowed out walls on the side of the well.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
In 2023, before a sublime run to the title, UConn went 14-8 in the Big East and bowed out to Marquette in the conference semifinals.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowed out
Verb
-
In the piece, the Vicar of Christ is felled not by his oppressors but rather by a random cosmic event.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Jeff Shell, now felled from his presidency of Paramount, is living proof.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sad memories of last year — when Wooten lost a tiebreaker in her state championship singles match to hand Palmetto the title — are all but erased.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Thompsons lost their mother to a heart attack in January 2023, according to TMZ.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sheehan responded by turning in his best performance of the season, but the bullpen faltered in the Dodgers’ 6-4 loss to the red-hot Cubs, who won their 10th in a row.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
And the pitching and defense had faltered in key situations.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bowed out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowed%20out. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
