as in bends
something that curves or is curved
her full lips form a pair of perfect bows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in succumbs
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 submits
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 curves
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 arches
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 bows
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Wearing a cornflower suit with polka dots and bows, the NHS pediatric nurse took center stage at the Easter service in Windsor alongside her fiancé, Peter Phillips.
—Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 6 Apr. 2026
By the final bows, there’s an understanding that this is a story that deserves to be seen at this moment.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
At the spring 2026 collections last September and October, runway fantasies like bows and face paint seeped right off the runways and into the streets.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
This mani has a mix of delicate black and blue bows contrasting with either an all-over white nail or a dainty French tip.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Viktor Rolf decorated a denim jacket and jeans with denim bows.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 11 Mar. 2026
The Pomeranian wore pink bows and seemed very relaxed.
—Blair Braverman, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026
Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Inside, surrounded by butter lamps and intricate iconography, even my skeptical husband bows before the Buddha.
—Shunali Khullar Shroff, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Nov. 2025
With her hand over her heart, the pair appear to have a heartfelt moment together, before each of them holds their hands together and bows toward each other in a traditional Thai gesture.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
He also is set to reprise his role in the upcoming sequel to Five Nights at Freddy’s, which bows next month.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2025
The final man, in a last-second protective reflex, bows his head and crosses his hands over it, but bullets send him flying backward, and the other militiamen join in, firing repeatedly at the dead bodies.
—Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
This Hulu series, which bows season five in September, brings together the lovable misfits of the Arcadia, a grand apartment building in New York City where way too many people get murdered.
—Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
His new film, The Christophers, which bows in Toronto’s Special Presentations section, was made entirely outside the system.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Confidence in the Fed's autonomy could take a blow if the Fed bows down to a president's demands without a sound basis.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
Keep feet cozy and warm with plush slippers, cozy pajama sets, quick dry towels, velvet hair bows and more.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Wearing a cornflower suit with polka dots and bows, the NHS pediatric nurse took center stage at the Easter service in Windsor alongside her fiancé, Peter Phillips.
—Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 6 Apr. 2026
By the final bows, there’s an understanding that this is a story that deserves to be seen at this moment.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
At the spring 2026 collections last September and October, runway fantasies like bows and face paint seeped right off the runways and into the streets.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
This mani has a mix of delicate black and blue bows contrasting with either an all-over white nail or a dainty French tip.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Viktor Rolf decorated a denim jacket and jeans with denim bows.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 11 Mar. 2026
The Pomeranian wore pink bows and seemed very relaxed.
—Blair Braverman, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
The film bows in Berlin’s Perspectives section.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Inside, surrounded by butter lamps and intricate iconography, even my skeptical husband bows before the Buddha.
—Shunali Khullar Shroff, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Nov. 2025
With her hand over her heart, the pair appear to have a heartfelt moment together, before each of them holds their hands together and bows toward each other in a traditional Thai gesture.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
He also is set to reprise his role in the upcoming sequel to Five Nights at Freddy’s, which bows next month.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2025
The final man, in a last-second protective reflex, bows his head and crosses his hands over it, but bullets send him flying backward, and the other militiamen join in, firing repeatedly at the dead bodies.
—Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
This Hulu series, which bows season five in September, brings together the lovable misfits of the Arcadia, a grand apartment building in New York City where way too many people get murdered.
—Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
His new film, The Christophers, which bows in Toronto’s Special Presentations section, was made entirely outside the system.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Confidence in the Fed's autonomy could take a blow if the Fed bows down to a president's demands without a sound basis.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bows
Noun
-
As the temperature drops, the cold causes the protein to shift into a more stable state in which one of its key structural pillars bends sharply, breaks away from its neighbor and straightens out.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
25 Mar. 2026
-
By contrast, the second joint in each leg bends readily, but only sideways and outward, favoring efficient lateral locomotion.—
Manjishtha Bhattacharyya,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The tourbillon version encases an appealing tension between the 270-piece complication’s visceral architecture and Roth’s flair for aristocratic typefaces and theatrical curves.—
Adam Erace,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Estrada points to designs like Piegatto’s Toko Tables, where solid hardwood volumes are stacked in a way that feels almost gravity-defying—rounded edges, subtle curves, and a more sculptural presence that anchors the room without feeling heavy.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Its outstanding appeal, grandish curvatures and extraordinary interior design are just the norm for the upscale interior brand.—
Marc D. Grasso,
Boston Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Posture Changes Spine curvatures can make standing up straight difficult, causing lower right back pain.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The astronauts were able to glimpse craters, mountains, and ridges at different angles as the Orion capsule arced behind the Moon.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
9 Apr. 2026
-
An onboard computer constantly adjusts the foil angles to hold a smooth ride even in choppy conditions using the same basic principle as the control surfaces on a fighter jet.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 09,
New Atlas,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The songs on the last few Bon Iver albums often sound like excerpts from a longer dialogue, at turns offhanded and intense, among collaborators.—
Mitch Therieau,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The German weather service had put the area under a high winds warning.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Drawing on Mediterranean cues—white stucco, clay tiles, and soft arches—the design remains restrained.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The golden arches is expanding its McValue offerings with an under $3 menu and a $4 breakfast meal deal starting on April 21.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Each molecule can contain more than two hundred carbon atoms, twisted into a dizzying array of rings and folds.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
And another law that took effect in 2015 folds tribal consultation into the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bows. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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