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
  • By middle age, everyone loses around a third of their amplitude of accommodation.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
  • When the inventory drops below 300 million barrels, the SPR loses its ability to pump oil at rapid speeds to address emergencies, Misra said.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of loses
Verb
  • This park also falls along the Rio Grande and includes mountainous terrain with tall cliffs and a desert landscape.
    — Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Balance is critical in helping older adults prevent falls — and it’s now considered a marker for longevity.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of falls
Verb
  • Extreme heat is redefining electricity as emergency infrastructure, pushing grids to their limits as demand soars and supply falters.
    — Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • While the federal government remains indispensable in public health, these state-level collaborations demonstrated that regional governance can emerge quickly when national leadership falters.
    — John Eger, Mercury News, 17 July 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 22 Aug. 2026.

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