as in losing
to undergo defeat
quite embarrassingly, the top-seeded player bowed out in the first round of competition
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Recent Examples of bowing out
Another milestone for a player bowing out?
—
Ava Wallace, New York Times, 30 May 2026
The latter staged frequent crossovers with the mothership series in its final years before bowing out in May 2024.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 19 May 2026
Family is the reason Brown is bowing out.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Swalwell, who has denied the allegations, had shown signs of momentum in polls before bowing out.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
However, after bowing out in the quarterfinals to Inter Miami, LAFC’s third consecutive MLS opponent following Colorado and Columbus, the current edition has delivered a much more flavorful experience.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 13 Apr. 2026
Star quarterback Josh Allen is in the middle of his prime, and Buffalo can’t afford to waste any more of his best seasons bowing out of the playoffs at or before the AFC Championship game.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
After bowing out in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 with a 65-55 loss to Illinois, denying the Cougars a shot at a return trip to the Final Four, UH’s roster will look noticeably different for the 2026-27 season.
—Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
The Musketeers took out Texas in the First Four before bowing out against Illinois in the first round.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026
Ava Wallace, New York Times, 30 May 2026
The latter staged frequent crossovers with the mothership series in its final years before bowing out in May 2024.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 19 May 2026
Family is the reason Brown is bowing out.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Swalwell, who has denied the allegations, had shown signs of momentum in polls before bowing out.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
However, after bowing out in the quarterfinals to Inter Miami, LAFC’s third consecutive MLS opponent following Colorado and Columbus, the current edition has delivered a much more flavorful experience.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 13 Apr. 2026
Star quarterback Josh Allen is in the middle of his prime, and Buffalo can’t afford to waste any more of his best seasons bowing out of the playoffs at or before the AFC Championship game.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
After bowing out in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 with a 65-55 loss to Illinois, denying the Cougars a shot at a return trip to the Final Four, UH’s roster will look noticeably different for the 2026-27 season.
—Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
The Musketeers took out Texas in the First Four before bowing out against Illinois in the first round.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowing out
Verb
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Meanwhile, the public has become critical of the war as gas prices continue to soar and Republicans face losing control of the House in the upcoming November Congressional elections.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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But losing on penalties will still make this moment one of the worst in their career.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Like India, Indonesia has been wrestling with a falling currency, and on May 20, the country's central bank raised its policy interest rates by a larger-than-expected 50 basis points.—
Sri Jegarajah,Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
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Anyone who likes keeping the balcony doors open at night and falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves should enjoy the Ocean Rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
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After faltering in last year’s Div.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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But now, as the public understands the consequences of our faltering democracy, more people are talking about it, Drutman said.—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bowing out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowing%20out. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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