Synonyms of bowed

bowed 1 of 3

adjective

ˈbau̇d 

1

as in bowing

bending downward or forward

the bowed branches of the weeping willow offered some protection from the rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bowing
• nodding
• weeping
• falling
• hung
• descending
• declined
• hanging
• dangling
• sagging
• declining
• drooping
• floppy
• inclining
• stooping
• pendulous
• descendant
• droopy
• sinking
• suspended
• pendent
• limp
• dipping
• slumping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• upright
• rigid
• erect
• stiff
• unbending
• inflexible
• elevated
• raised
• upraised

2

as in lowered

directed down

with bowed heads the mourners recited a prayer for the repose of her soul

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lowered
• downward
• down
• downcast

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lifted
• upward
• elevated
• raised
• uplifted

bowed

2 of 3

verb (1)

past tense of bow

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

• succumbed
• conceded
• submitted
• surrendered
• capitulated
• relented
• blinked
• budged
• yielded
• acquiesced
• gave in
• quit
• knuckled under
• threw in the towel
• said uncle
• deferred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resisted
• contended
• fought
• opposed
• faced
• met
• confronted
• objected
• countered
• defied
• repelled
• battled
• held off
• withstood
• thwarted
• combated
• breasted

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

• succumbed
• submitted
• surrendered
• yielded
• gave in
• gratified
• caved (in)
• indulged
• wallowed
• catered (to)
• conceded (to)
• acquiesced (to)
• buckled (under)
• knuckled under
• gave over (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resisted
• opposed
• faced
• met
• confronted
• objected
• fought
• countered
• defied
• repelled
• battled
• rejected
• withstood
• thwarted
• held off
• checked
• combated
• restrained
• constrained
• breasted
• stifled
• inhibited
• curbed
• bridled

bowed

3 of 3

verb (2)

past tense of bow

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

• curved
• swept
• arched
• rounded
• turned
• bent
• crooked
• fell off
• arced
• curled
• swerved
• hooked
• trended
• wheeled
• looped
• circled
• spiraled
• coiled
• wound
• twisted
• veered
• curlicued
• deviated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straightened

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

• arched
• hooked
• curved
• curled
• bent
• turned
• crooked
• twisted
• waved
• swerved
• rounded
• deflected
• veered
• reflected
• swirled
• weaved
• arced
• inflected
• incurved
• diverted
• coiled
• looped
• spiraled
• inclined
• dented
• sloped
• twined
• warped
• entwined
• kinked
• meandered
• wound
• dimpled
• enrolled
• incurvated
• declined

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straightened
• uncurled
• unbent

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bowed

Verb

As Diana’s coffin passed by the queen on September 6, the day of her funeral, the monarch—who bows to no one—bowed her head deeply for the Princess of Wales in a sign of respect for Diana and her life tragically cut short. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 28 July 2026

Rivas’ mother bowed her head and cried as the images were displayed. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026

Months after arresting former Defense Minister Salvador Cienfuegos in 2020 on drug-trafficking charges during a visit to Los Angeles, the United States bowed to political pressure and returned him to Mexico. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Her mother bowed her head and looked away during the presentation, while her father, Jesus Rivas, repeatedly checked on his wife. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 22 July 2026

And Tiddes details the extras in the extended director’s cut of the Paramount and Miramax film that bowed today on PVOD platforms. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 July 2026

Apple refined haptic feedback until a sheet of glass could convincingly acknowledge a virtual button press, and Volkswagen recently bowed to consumer pressure and announced that physical buttons would return to future models. — New Atlas, 18 July 2026

Teammate Freddie Freeman bowed as Ohtani made his way back to the dugout. — ABC News, 7 July 2026

After the game, Ochoa, who is 40 and the third oldest player at the tournament, kissed the post and bowed to his fans with tears in his eyes before leaving the pitch. — Juliana Kim, NPR, 6 July 2026