1
as in bowing
bending downward or forward
the bowed branches of the weeping willow offered some protection from the rain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in succumbed
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in submitted
to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit)
bowed to the craving for fresh coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in curved
to turn away from a straight line or course
the river bows gently to the north before it reaches the sea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arched
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bowed
Kansas City Star, 19 Nov. 2025
No racist stereotypes, no demeaning facial expressions, no bowed heads, and no broken bodies from the old Hollywood.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
The composer also added synths to his orchestral score, as well as bowed metal, where a violin bow is rubbed against metal instruments like a cowbell or a Vibraphone, for when Roz has a particularly intense feeling.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
Jeremy Strong forwent a classic suit and tie in favor of a bowed necktie, giving his tailored look the perfect dash of whimsy.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 June 2024
In what had been the kitchen, a bowed fridge, a warped sink top and a charred oven huddled together.
—Anumita Kaur, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Sep. 2023
The spaces among bowed strings, brasses and percussion are wider.
—Seth Colter Walls, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Earlier this month, X bowed to pressure and stopped the image tool from editing photos of real people after a backlash around the world to edits of women in revealing clothing.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Phelan grunted as his rod bowed.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 25 Jan. 2026
After most recently playing Jean Seberg in Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague, which bowed at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, Deutch will be back in front of festival audiences in a decidedly different role.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
The church included other Nazi imagery, including an Iron Cross in the church’s chandelier and a baptismal font adorned with a Nazi SA stormtrooper, his head bowed in prayer.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Calik Denim bowed Curve, a technology that blocked bagging in the weft while creating a push-up effect for the bottom without sacrificing comfort.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Jan. 2026
Bradie Tennell bowed her head to the ice after her final pose as the crowd stood and cheered.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
As the ball sailed wide right to secure the Pittsburgh Steelers’ pulsating and division-clinching 26-24 win, Loop bowed his head and stuffed his hands inside his face mask before being consoled by holder Jordan Stout.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The building with its bowed windows and a Queen Ann tower had already been around for nine years before its owner placed a classified ad in a July 1897 issue of The Kansas City Times.
—Kansas City Star, 19 Nov. 2025
No racist stereotypes, no demeaning facial expressions, no bowed heads, and no broken bodies from the old Hollywood.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
The composer also added synths to his orchestral score, as well as bowed metal, where a violin bow is rubbed against metal instruments like a cowbell or a Vibraphone, for when Roz has a particularly intense feeling.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
Jeremy Strong forwent a classic suit and tie in favor of a bowed necktie, giving his tailored look the perfect dash of whimsy.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 June 2024
In what had been the kitchen, a bowed fridge, a warped sink top and a charred oven huddled together.
—Anumita Kaur, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Sep. 2023
The spaces among bowed strings, brasses and percussion are wider.
—Seth Colter Walls, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
Verb
Chants were being chanted, yes, but there was a lot of silence, too, heads bowed.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Earlier this month, X bowed to pressure and stopped the image tool from editing photos of real people after a backlash around the world to edits of women in revealing clothing.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Phelan grunted as his rod bowed.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 25 Jan. 2026
After most recently playing Jean Seberg in Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague, which bowed at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, Deutch will be back in front of festival audiences in a decidedly different role.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
The church included other Nazi imagery, including an Iron Cross in the church’s chandelier and a baptismal font adorned with a Nazi SA stormtrooper, his head bowed in prayer.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Calik Denim bowed Curve, a technology that blocked bagging in the weft while creating a push-up effect for the bottom without sacrificing comfort.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Jan. 2026
Bradie Tennell bowed her head to the ice after her final pose as the crowd stood and cheered.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
As the ball sailed wide right to secure the Pittsburgh Steelers’ pulsating and division-clinching 26-24 win, Loop bowed his head and stuffed his hands inside his face mask before being consoled by holder Jordan Stout.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowed
Adjective
-
Dethleffs had to be particularly creative with the toilet room, walling off a private space separate from the remainder of the open floor plan that fits in below the lowered roof.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Supercharge your multiplier for more winnings and have a better chance at a win with a lowered projection.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
James O’Donoghue, a planetary scientist with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, likened our planet’s tilting phenomenon to a nodding head.—
Aylin Woodward,
WSJ,
21 Dec. 2021
Adjective
-
Try to move in long, downward stokes, applying even pressure.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
27 Jan. 2026
-
After a slight improvement in December, American consumer confidence resumed its downward slide.—
Jordan Erb,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.—
David Mamet,
National Review,
11 Aug. 2022
-
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Bowed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowed. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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