Synonyms of bow

bow 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈbau̇ 

1

as in to succumb

to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control)

finally bowed to the judge's insistence that she change her outfit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• succumb
• submit
• concede
• surrender
• capitulate
• budge
• yield
• relent
• blink
• knuckle under
• quit
• give in
• acquiesce
• throw in the towel
• say uncle
• defer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resist
• fight
• face
• contend
• object
• breast
• meet
• oppose
• combat
• confront
• counter
• defy
• hold off
• withstand
• repel
• battle
• thwart

2

as in to submit

to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit)

bowed to the craving for fresh coffee

Synonyms & Similar Words

• succumb
• submit
• surrender
• cave (in)
• yield
• give in
• cater (to)
• concede (to)
• gratify
• acquiesce (to)
• buckle (under)
• indulge
• wallow
• knuckle under
• give over (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resist
• face
• object
• breast
• meet
• fight
• oppose
• combat
• confront
• counter
• defy
• repel
• hold off
• withstand
• thwart
• reject
• battle
• check
• restrain
• curb
• constrain
• stifle
• inhibit
• bridle

bow

2 of 3

verb (2)

ˈbō 

1

as in to curve

to turn away from a straight line or course

the river bows gently to the north before it reaches the sea

Synonyms & Similar Words

• curve
• round
• arc
• arch
• sweep
• bend
• fall off
• wind
• wheel
• turn
• hook
• crook
• loop
• trend
• swerve
• curl
• circle
• coil
• spiral
• curlicue
• twist
• deviate
• veer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straighten

2

as in to bend

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 & Similar Words

• bend
• arch
• hook
• curve
• curl
• twist
• turn
• crook
• swerve
• round
• wave
• arc
• deflect
• swirl
• reflect
• loop
• weave
• veer
• twine
• coil
• inflect
• divert
• spiral
• wind
• slope
• kink
• warp
• dent
• incurve
• entwine
• incurvate
• incline
• enroll
• dimple
• meander
• decline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straighten
• unbend
• uncurl

bow

3 of 3

noun

ˈbō 

as in bend

something that curves or is curved

her full lips form a pair of perfect bows

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bend
• curvature
• curve
• turn
• angle
• wind
• arch
• fold
• arc
• crook
• inflection
• curl
• slope
• twist
• corner
• coil
• ring
• loop
• round
• circle
• buckle
• warp
• winding
• spiral
• swirl
• reflection
• flexure
• incline
• kink
• curlicue
• ringlet
• hairpin
• inclination
• convolution
• decline
• incurvature
• turnoff
• dogleg

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bow

Verb

And Vermelho Lagoa—a second property from Louboutin and his team due to bow around the same time—marks an expansion of their vision for the region. — Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026

Standing in a holding pen for inmates, wearing orange jail attire, Holdo looked back at Savery almost admiringly, at times bowing his head. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Noun

The undrafted rookie put a bow on a strong camp by earning five tackles and a pretty pass breakup against the Rams. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Taylor doffed his signature pageboy cap for a humble bow following the soothing ballad. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing bow

• bow out