as in nodding
bending downward or forward
the bowing blossoms indicated that the petunia plant desperately needed water
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in succumbing
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 submitting
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
1
as in curving
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 bending
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 bowing
Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Theron also has Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey bowing next summer.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
In August, the discontent grew when a leak showed that the White House's forthcoming MAHA strategy report would sidestep tougher limits on pesticides and other agrochemicals, bowing to fierce industry pressure.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned on Sunday, bowing to internal party pressure after a poor performance in July legislative elections.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Smashbox is one of the highlights in the department, and the Philosophy brand of skin care is bowing in JCPenney Beauty for the holiday season.
—Sharon Edelson, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Co-star Alicia Vikander wiped back tears amid the ovation, while director Olivier Assayas worked the crowd, bowing and climbing over the cinema’s seats to embrace his collaborators.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
North Korea’s state television showed Kim bowing deeply to family members who appeared overcome with emotion at the event.
—CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
Stone, Plemons, Lanthimos and the rest of the cast, including Alicia Silverstone, as well as the film’s screenwriter Will Tracy, took in the applause while bowing multiple times.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
Demerzel gasps, and for once Day isn’t preening in the mirror but bowing his head.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Theron also has Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey bowing next summer.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
In August, the discontent grew when a leak showed that the White House's forthcoming MAHA strategy report would sidestep tougher limits on pesticides and other agrochemicals, bowing to fierce industry pressure.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned on Sunday, bowing to internal party pressure after a poor performance in July legislative elections.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Smashbox is one of the highlights in the department, and the Philosophy brand of skin care is bowing in JCPenney Beauty for the holiday season.
—Sharon Edelson, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Co-star Alicia Vikander wiped back tears amid the ovation, while director Olivier Assayas worked the crowd, bowing and climbing over the cinema’s seats to embrace his collaborators.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
North Korea’s state television showed Kim bowing deeply to family members who appeared overcome with emotion at the event.
—CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
Stone, Plemons, Lanthimos and the rest of the cast, including Alicia Silverstone, as well as the film’s screenwriter Will Tracy, took in the applause while bowing multiple times.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowing
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
Adjective
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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
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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
“Bowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowing. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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