Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

1

bow

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of bow

1 to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control)
  • finally bowed to the judge's insistence that she change her outfit
Synonyms of bow

blink, budge, capitulate, concede, give in, knuckle under, quit, relent, submit, succumb, surrender, yield
Words Related to bow

acquiesce

defer
Phrases Synonymous with bow

say uncle, throw in the towel (also throw in the sponge)
Near Antonyms of bow

contend, fight, hold off

battle, breast, combat, confront, counter, defy, face, meet, object, oppose, repel

thwart, withstand
Antonyms of bow

resist
2 to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit)
  • bowed to the craving for fresh coffee
Synonyms of bow

cave (in), give in, submit, succumb, surrender, yield
Words Related to bow

cater (to), gratify, indulge, wallow

acquiesce (to), concede (to)

buckle (under), knuckle under

give over (to)
Near Antonyms of bow

battle, breast, combat, confront, counter, defy, face, fight, meet, object, oppose, repel

thwart, withstand

reject

bridle, check, constrain, curb, inhibit, restrain, stifle
Antonyms of bow

hold off, resist
2

bow

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of bow

1 to turn away from a straight line or course
  • the river bows gently to the north before it reaches the sea
Synonyms of bow

arc, arch, bend, crook, curve, fall off, hook, round, sweep, swerve, trend, wheel
Words Related to bow

circle, coil, curlicue, curl, loop, spiral

turn, twist, wind

deviate, veer
Antonyms of bow

straighten
2 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 of bow

arch, bend, crook, curve, hook, swerve
Words Related to bow

arc, round

incurvate, incurve, inflect, reflect

deflect, divert

entwine, kink, swirl, turn, twine, twist, veer, warp

coil, curl, enroll (also enrol), loop, spiral

dent, dimple

meander, wave, weave, wind

decline, incline, slope
Antonyms of bow

straighten, unbend, uncurl

bow

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of bow

something that curves or is curved
  • her full lips form a pair of perfect bows
Synonyms of bow

angle, arc, arch, bend, crook, curvature, curve, inflection, turn, wind
Words Related to bow

kink, warp

circle, ring, ringlet, round

coil, curl, curlicue (also curlycue)

buckle, convolution, flexure, fold, loop, spiral, swirl, twist, winding

incurvature, reflection

decline, inclination, incline, slope

corner, turnoff

dogleg, hairpin

Learn More about bow

  1. See words that rhyme with bow Dictionary: Definition of bow Medical Dictionary: Definition of bow Spanish Central: Translation of bow Nglish: Translation of bow for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bow for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bow

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up bow? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games