bow

²bow

verb

Definition of BOW

1

to turn away from a straight line or course <the river bows gently to the north before it reaches the sea>

Synonyms arc, arch, bend, bow, crook, fall off, hook, round, sweep, swerve, trend, wheel

Related Words circle, coil, curlicue, curl, loop, spiral; turn, twist, wind; deviate, veer

Antonyms straighten

2

to cause to turn away from a straight line <you'll have to gently bow the strip of wood in order to fit it in>

Synonyms arch, bow, crook, curve, hook, swerve

Related Words arc, round; incurvate, incurve, inflect, reflect; deflect, divert; entwine, kink, swirl, turn, twine, twist, veer, warp; coil, curl, enroll (also enrol), loop, spiral; dent, dimple; meander, wave, weave, wind; decline, incline, slope

Antonyms straighten, unbend, uncurl