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bows out

verb

present tense third-person singular of bow out
as in loses
to undergo defeat quite embarrassingly, the top-seeded player bowed out in the first round of competition

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 bows out England has reached the World Cup quarterfinals 10 times in the past, but that is often the round where the team bows out. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026 If Platner bows out and the Democrats put forth a new Senate nominee that turns off the progressive base, Coleman said that could change the tide of the general election, too. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 9 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bows out
  1. loses
  2. falls
  3. falters
Verb
  • New characters are introduced, many interesting details are offered, yet the narration never loses its focus, every sentence adding to the characters’ mounting sense of powerlessness in the face of such a tragic death.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The vision of a puppet bird in flight loses a lot of its beauty when there’s a stage full of people milling about under it.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of loses
Verb
  • Saccharide is a carbohydrate made of sugars, and the Aries season falls between late March and early April.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Companies should examine the economics more closely when a category of loss occurs regularly, remains relatively stable and falls within an amount the organization can comfortably absorb.
    — Randy Sadler, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of falls
Verb
  • The third such report from the powerful Board of Supervisors last week is very similar to language in a Paramount statement of September 8 detailing harsh consequences if the merger falters.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The opposite political party of whichever leads the White House fares well, while the leading party falters.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of falters

Browse Nearby Words

bows
bows out
bows (to)
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Cite this Entry

“Bows out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bows%20out. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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