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
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In another story, Cara, a single parent, loses her apartment when her landlord refuses to fix her hot water heater.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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Each team needs a win for its NCAA Tournament resume, and whoever loses will probably need a run at the SEC Tournament to make the field.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The joyous gallows humor and horror-movie commentary of old are gone, and some inspired working-in of new technology falls apart.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
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The city cannot gamble with our care by pushing us onto a new plan that falls short for people it was supposed to protect.—
MaryAnn Berto,
New York Daily News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Alice never falters in her suspicions.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
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But when their friendship falters, Minnie is forced to navigate her own identity.—
Teresa Xie,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bows out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bows%20out. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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