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

Related Stories While onstage before his new film bowed on the first night of the serene Colorado festival, Haigh seemed faintly astonished to be there at all. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

The Musical, a hit that opened in London’s West End last November, will bow on Broadway in 2027. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

Noun

These pumps have sculptural block heels, dainty bow details, and of course, leopard pony-hair uppers. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 11 Sep. 2026

Manning got better over time, putting the bow on his season with 376 total yards and four touchdowns against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing bow

• bow out