bow out

8 synonyms and 3 antonyms for bow out, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To withdraw from a contest, role or commitment, especially gracefully and by your own choice.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

quit exit

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

withdraw retire

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

step down pull out crash out go out

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To withdraw from a contest, role or commitment, especially gracefully and by your own choice.

“She bowed out of the race two weeks before the vote.”

withdraw step down retire pull out quit

Opposites

enter step up join

2. verb

Of a team or competitor, to be eliminated from a competition.

“They bowed out in the quarter-finals on penalties.”

exit crash out go out

How to use bow out

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

bow out gracefully bow out of the race bow out at the top bow out in the semi-finals

Neutral and common in journalism, especially sport and politics. It carries a note of dignity that 'quit' or 'drop out' does not.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 'bow out' and 'back out'?

'Bow out' is a dignified departure, often after a long involvement, and implies no fault. 'Back out' means withdrawing from something you had already agreed to, and usually suggests you have let someone down.

Does 'bow out' mean to retire?

It can, and it is a common polite way of saying so. But it also covers leaving a single race, contest or project, not just ending a whole career.

People also searched

join enter quit exit withdraw retire

Nearby words

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