cower

verb

cow·er | \ˈkau̇(-ə)r

cowered; cowering; cowers

Definition of cower

: to shrink away or crouch especially for shelter from something that menaces, domineers, or dismays They all cowered silently in their places, seeming to know in advance that some terrible thing was about to happen.— George Orwell

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about cower

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Synonyms for cower

Synonyms

cringe, grovel, quail

Choose the Right Synonym for cower

fawn, toady, truckle, cringe, cower mean to behave abjectly before a superior. fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention. waiters fawning over a celebrity toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude. toadying to his boss truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior. truckling to a powerful lobbyist cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility. a cringing sycophant cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people. cowering before a bully

Examples of cower in a Sentence

They cowered at the sight of the gun. She was cowering in the closet. I cowered behind the door.

Recent Examples on the Web

Doubly blessed with an enormous voice and the savvy with which to use it, Thimes dominates the stage, her larger-than-life presence reflecting a personality that does not cower from challenge. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, "Singer Denise Thimes puts down roots in Chicago," 5 July 2018 It’s hard to appreciate when something like that happens in a newsroom, having to cower under their desks in that awful scenario. — Michael Levenson, BostonGlobe.com, "Fears of violence unsettle newsrooms," 29 June 2018 On March 16, 1968, Hugh Thompson, an Army helicopter pilot, landed his aircraft between advancing American forces and cowering Vietnamese civilians who had just seen more than 500 of their fellow villagers brutally slaughtered. — Paul Thornton, latimes.com, "1990s California would have been kinder to Trump," 17 Mar. 2018 Brown did not cower in the moment during last season’s conference finals and has only improved. — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, "Eastern Conference finals preview: Can Celtics stop LeBron James, Cavaliers?," 10 May 2018 Celek, despite his struggles, didn’t cower and hide. — Jeff Mclane, Philly.com, "Brent Celek's Eagles legacy built upon character and toughness," 13 Mar. 2018 The South, in response, strengthened its security and didn't cower — with the Olympics going off without a hitch. — Erik Ortiz, NBC News, "Lessons of Seoul Games’ triumph over terror 30 years ago," 28 Jan. 2018 And certainly not the Republicans cowering in Congress. — Yvonne Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, "Hey undocumented immigrants, it’s all your fault," 16 June 2018 Officers said people cowered in a corner away from Elifritz or up against a wall behind officers who had formed a physical barrier. — Aimee Green, OregonLive.com, "Police officers describe 'pandemonium' during fatal homeless shelter shooting," 11 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cower.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.