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

At Victoria Park, where tens of thousands once gathered for the only large-scale public commemoration of the massacre in China, Tang bowed on the eve of the anniversary and read off a list of the victims in a low voice. — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Kontras’ buck measured in at 201 1/8 points, smashing the previous Ohio gun and bow records. — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

Adding Waller feels like a shot across the bow at the Panthers’ younger tight ends in particular. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

The absence of depictions of bows and arrows in many pinturas rupestres may indicate that the groups inhabiting the Serra da Capivara did not use them as weapons. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing bow

• bow out