as in to intimidate
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats
a sharp glare cowed the child into being quiet
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cow
Kick-off was at 7.45pm and, before both teams walked onto the field, Millwall players tried to show they would not be easily cowed.
—
Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Depressed and cowed by his wife, Michael comes across as naïve to the point of foolishness, and there are moments when his haplessness is played for laughs.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Until then, amplifying Putin’s nuclear threats, or appearing to be cowed by them, erodes that deterrence.
—Anthony Lake, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
McConnell is 82 and not running for reelection, whereas his colleagues are cowed that any opposition to the MAGA agenda, no matter how damaging this would be to the country, would harm their reelection chances.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cow
Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Depressed and cowed by his wife, Michael comes across as naïve to the point of foolishness, and there are moments when his haplessness is played for laughs.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Until then, amplifying Putin’s nuclear threats, or appearing to be cowed by them, erodes that deterrence.
—Anthony Lake, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
McConnell is 82 and not running for reelection, whereas his colleagues are cowed that any opposition to the MAGA agenda, no matter how damaging this would be to the country, would harm their reelection chances.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cow
Verb
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That means people who are counting votes or knocking on doors can’t be intimidated, threatened or coerced.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
12 May 2025
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If mixing up cocktails at home seems intimidating, don't fear—the secret to your new favorite drink might already be in the back of your fridge.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2025
Verb
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There’s a lesson in that for anyone who chafes at Trump’s bullying tactics.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
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Topics covered include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, bullying and more, the release said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2025
Verb
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The goal of strengthening Washington’s presence should be to reassure partners that U.S. pressure is designed to create stronger alliances, not to pave the way for abandonment, as well as to ensure that resisting China is viable for countries that are frightened by Beijing.—
A. Wess Mitchell,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
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The American Declaration of Independence and Constitution frightened monarchies and despots around the world without a single bullet or gunboat.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Start to say no to distractions that do not serve your higher purpose, and start saying yes to the things that challenge you, stretch you and even scare you a little.—
Melissa Sierra,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
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What scares and excites you about where AI is headed for the next generation of artists?—
Lily Marks,
Time,
5 May 2025
Verb
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Speed isn’t Thomas’ game, but badgering receivers into submission until the QB decides to stop looking their way works just as well.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2025
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At times, the alienation effects smack of college-level Brecht, as when Macheath badgers the pit musicians and burns a fake copy of the score.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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That's why, while scrolling through a weightlifting message late one night, Johnston was startled by how people who lifted talked about exercise.—
Mara Gordon,
NPR,
8 May 2025
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While June and Nick, still trapped in the closet, marinate in his betrayal, the women of Jezebel’s are startled by guardians busting into their dressing room and roughly moving them into the corner of the space that doubles as a bathroom.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cow. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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