Synonyms of bowing

bowing 1 of 3

adjective

as in nodding

bending downward or forward

the bowing blossoms indicated that the petunia plant desperately needed water

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

bowing

2 of 3

verb (1)

present participle of bow

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

• succumbing
• submitting
• conceding
• surrendering
• capitulating
• relenting
• yielding
• budging
• blinking
• acquiescing
• giving in
• quitting
• throwing in the towel
• knuckling under
• deferring
• saying uncle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resisting
• fighting
• facing
• contending
• opposing
• confronting
• objecting
• meeting
• defying
• combating
• countering
• battling
• repelling
• withstanding
• holding off
• thwarting
• breasting

2

as in submitting

to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit)

bowed to the craving for fresh coffee

Synonyms & Similar Words

• succumbing
• submitting
• yielding
• surrendering
• giving in
• caving (in)
• gratifying
• indulging
• catering (to)
• wallowing
• conceding (to)
• buckling (under)
• acquiescing (to)
• knuckling under
• giving over (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resisting
• facing
• opposing
• fighting
• confronting
• objecting
• meeting
• defying
• combating
• countering
• battling
• withstanding
• repelling
• rejecting
• thwarting
• holding off
• checking
• breasting
• restraining
• curbing
• inhibiting
• constraining
• stifling
• bridling

bowing

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of bow

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

• curving
• bending
• arching
• sweeping
• rounding
• turning
• arcing
• falling off
• winding
• swerving
• crooking
• trending
• circling
• curling
• hooking
• looping
• wheeling
• spiraling
• coiling
• twisting
• deviating
• veering
• curlicuing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straightening

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

• bending
• arching
• hooking
• curving
• twisting
• curling
• crooking
• turning
• waving
• swerving
• deflecting
• reflecting
• rounding
• veering
• swirling
• inflecting
• arcing
• weaving
• diverting
• incurving
• coiling
• looping
• spiraling
• warping
• twining
• kinking
• denting
• inclining
• sloping
• entwining
• winding
• dimpling
• enrolling
• meandering
• incurvating
• declining

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straightening
• unbending
• uncurling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bowing

Verb

Winds gusted up to 80 miles per hour, bowing palm trees and knocking down power lines that sparked the fires. — Angus Chen, STAT, 22 July 2026

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired his commander in chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, on Tuesday, bowing to pressure after the removal of popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov sparked the fiercest leadership crisis of his presidency. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 21 July 2026

An adventure bowing to higher authority, raising yourself above nothing and no one. — Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

China and Japan are part of the offshore suite opening Friday, with France and Belgium bowing next weekend. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 26 June 2026

Set to debut in October, the Seville ‘Luminiscence’ marks the third city in Spain to host the global immersive phenomenon, after bowing in San Sebastián at its Buen Pastor Cathedral and in Barcelona, where a total 115,000 people have attended over 500 performances in a first season run. — John Hopewell, Variety, 22 June 2026

His coworker once spotted a fan on their knees, bowing toward the entrance gate near the property. — Leah Willingham, Fortune, 21 June 2026

Even the King's children follow suit, and Prince William has been seen bowing his head to say hello to his father and stepmother. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026

According to reporting by The New York Times, protesters accuse Kenyan officials of bowing to Trump at the expense of allowing a deadly virus into the country, accepting Americans that America itself refuses to take in. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026