as in loses
to undergo defeat
quite embarrassingly, the top-seeded player bowed out in the first round of competition
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Recent Examples of bows out
Herman said in many ways, the state law is more stringent than the Clean Water Act, so even if the EPA bows out of regulating Southern California’s ditch system, the state’s rules might prevent pollution from flowing.
—
Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 18 Jan. 2026
Behold the golden-orange horizon over Kitt Peak National Observatory, a fiery twilight moment where day bows out and the stars prepare their grand entrance.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Vegas ends up in a wild-card spot and bows out in the opening round.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The news comes as the Weeknd bows out.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
That’s right, Foundation season three bows out with a shot at Earth itself and two robots living on the moon.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
In an Instagram reel posted on her page (also shared by YouTube page My Husband is My Best Friend), the Basketball Wives LA star is sipping wine and engaging in tourist behavior like exploring monumental cathedrals with the Sacramento Kings coach before summer 2025 bows out.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 2 Sep. 2025
Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 18 Jan. 2026
Behold the golden-orange horizon over Kitt Peak National Observatory, a fiery twilight moment where day bows out and the stars prepare their grand entrance.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Vegas ends up in a wild-card spot and bows out in the opening round.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The news comes as the Weeknd bows out.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
That’s right, Foundation season three bows out with a shot at Earth itself and two robots living on the moon.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
In an Instagram reel posted on her page (also shared by YouTube page My Husband is My Best Friend), the Basketball Wives LA star is sipping wine and engaging in tourist behavior like exploring monumental cathedrals with the Sacramento Kings coach before summer 2025 bows out.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bows out
Verb
-
The startup gains apparent capability but loses operational confidence.—
Abdo Riani,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Friends question her sanity and stability, and Helen loses herself further inside her mounting grief.—
Adam Graham,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The cold air is then expected to stay in place through the beginning of February, ensuring that whatever snow falls this weekend will stay on the ground for a while.—
Matthew Villafane,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
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Only one other player has been ever elected by the writers with 1,500 or fewer hits — Roy Campanella (1,422) in 1969 — and that total falls far short of the average career hit mark for all Hall of Fame batters, which is 2,330.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For instance, the show’s portrayal of larger-bodied characters falters, particularly given that body shame is one of its central critiques.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Brown is likely a lock unless his usual consistency falters in the long program on Saturday.—
Lillian Karabaic,
NPR,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bows out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bows%20out. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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