bow 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈbau̇ How to pronounce bow (audio)
Definition of bownext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bow

2 of 3

verb (2)

ˈbō How to pronounce bow (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bow

3 of 3

noun

ˈbō How to pronounce bow (audio)
as in bend
something that curves or is curved her full lips form a pair of perfect bows

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bow
Verb
But these four features from Qatar are instead bowing separately as special screenings. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 Accordingly, The Marriage Market bowed in Germany first, on ProSieben’s streaming platform Joyn. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
The film arrived in London following its October 9 debut bow at the New York Film Festival. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026 Right after a bow has been put on the situation, and the sea creature has been pushed off, the community discovers more massive chunks of ice that are nesting more violent monsters. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bow
  1. succumb
  2. submit
  3. curve
  4. bend
  5. curvature
  6. concede
  7. surrender
  8. arch
Verb
  • As more and more people succumb to AI psychosis, horror movies are (as always) the first to dive into the repercussions.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The pair had a fractured, even abusive, relationship, depicted in a series of flashbacks, until Mitt chose to end his life in the sea rather than succumb to a terminal case of cancer.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of succumb
Verb
  • Queries were also submitted to an unnamed AI chatbot account associated with Alfozan’s wife, requesting information on how to capture audio, use passive scanning in live listening and encrypt an SD card, among other prompts, the complaint said.
    — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The decision was posted on the White House website late in the evening, and the notification noted that the report explaining the decision had been submitted to Congress.
    — Will Weissert, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of submit
Verb
  • Animators studied ostriches before feeding their digital movement curves into a six-axis mechanical rig carrying the performers.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The tangle of stubby points stood out like overgrown thumbs, and the down-curving prongs on either side of his head were at least a foot long.
    — Al Dawson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of curve
Verb
  • The team plans to investigate three-dimensional structures that could support more complex movements, including bending, twisting, and shearing.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Dark matter also seems to warp space itself, bending light around objects in a process known as gravitational lensing.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of bend
Noun
  • Individual fibers can detect curvature along a line, but reconstructing an entire surface presents a greater challenge.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Mike recalled that the effects of the disease were noticeable around the time of his 2011 wedding to Zara, and said his father’s physical decline had included curvature of the spine and subsequent medical problems.
    — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of curvature
Verb
  • Hollywood executives at a panel featuring UTA, Gold House, Lionsgate and HYBE saw an opening for Asian talent and stories rooted in specific cultures, while conceding that getting projects funded is still a struggle.
    — Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Yet there are few examples in history of adversaries conceding to maximalist demands in the face of punitive bombing campaigns alone—even by the world’s greatest air force.
    — Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of concede
Verb
  • She was ordered to surrender all travel documents, including passports and visas.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Deputies entered the home Friday morning after efforts to persuade Mullennix to surrender were unsuccessful.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of surrender
Verb
  • But try to go back the other way, the doorway is rectangular rather than arched.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • There is an intentional yawning gap in the floor leading to the basement, and nearly half the building is an open void crisscrossed by arching beams.
    — Tim Hornyak, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of arch

Phrases Containing bow

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bovine
bow
bowdlerization
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Cite this Entry

“Bow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bow. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bow

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