bow out

verb

bowed out; bowing out; bows out

intransitive verb

: retire, withdraw
also : lose
bowed out in the first round of the tournament

Examples of bow out in a Sentence

quite embarrassingly, the top-seeded player bowed out in the first round of competition
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Despite a litany of injuries, the Texas Rangers refuse to bow out of the playoff hunt. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025 The Senate field has remained thin since liberal teacher Josh Weil bowed out earlier this summer, positioning Jenkins as the party’s most visible candidate so far. Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025 Another factor was a business partner’s decision to bow out after being involved for five years. Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025 The team made it to the NFC Championship Game in 2023 and bowed out of the postseason in the divisional round last year. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bow out

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bow out was in 1942

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Cite this Entry

“Bow out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bow%20out. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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