as in to lose
to undergo defeat
quite embarrassingly, the top-seeded player bowed out in the first round of competition
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Recent Examples of bow out
Harris’ entrance into the contest marked a reunification of her party, after Biden’s resistance to bow out of the race—even as Trump surged ahead in polls—exposed deep divisions within the party.
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Sara Dorn, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
The Canadian actress, 31, starred as Fiona Miller on the Hallmark series from season 6 through season 10 but had to bow out of the show's eleventh season as filming for Landman conflicted.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
But to hear the top ranks of the Biden campaign profess, there were zero credible conversations to prepare for the dramatic next steps of Biden bowing out of the race and effectively swapping his name with Vice President Kamala Harris on ballots.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Still, Gaetz's decision to bow out of the confirmation process isn't unique.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bow out 
Sara Dorn, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
The Canadian actress, 31, starred as Fiona Miller on the Hallmark series from season 6 through season 10 but had to bow out of the show's eleventh season as filming for Landman conflicted.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
But to hear the top ranks of the Biden campaign profess, there were zero credible conversations to prepare for the dramatic next steps of Biden bowing out of the race and effectively swapping his name with Vice President Kamala Harris on ballots.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024
Still, Gaetz's decision to bow out of the confirmation process isn't unique.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bow out
Thesaurus Entries Near bow out
Cite this Entry
“Bow out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bow%20out. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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