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

The enmity between the sides grew after the Irish players wore black armbands and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem before the first match. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

The first, at least, is about to be answered, with Artificial set to bow Monday night at the New York Film Festival. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Noun

The retaliation begins outside the chapel, where Ellen uses her bow to quietly pick off the guard escorting the hostages, allowing the women to escape and seize his weapons. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

The race to see who would come out on top among the week’s two other top 10 album bows was a squeaker, separated by a few hundred units. — Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing bow

• bow out