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
Blair Braverman, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026
Known for statement designs with sculptural edge, their reiteration of the Gel-Kayano 20 sneaker shape has been decorated with delicate pearls, crystals, and bows—signature elements the brand often uses within every jewelry collection.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
In the cropped picture, Waterhouse cradled her daughter, who wore pigtails tied with tiny white bows.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
During that period, sales taxes would be lifted on select outdoor gear, including tents priced under $200 and fishing rods priced at $75 or less, along with firearms, ammunition, bows and crossbows.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
During that period, sales taxes would be lifted on select camping and fishing gear, including tents priced under $200 and fishing rods priced at $75 or less, along with firearms, ammunition, bows and crossbows.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
In such a more-is-more approach, classic crisp white shirts and those with big bows popped up as the essential pieces to have in the closet.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
For a stylish touch, the pitcher has a glossy, pink finish that’s complemented by embossed bows, an ergonomic handle, and an easy-pour spout.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Floppy oversized bows on lace slips or sheer blouses?
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 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
The Pomeranian wore pink bows and seemed very relaxed.
—Blair Braverman, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026
Known for statement designs with sculptural edge, their reiteration of the Gel-Kayano 20 sneaker shape has been decorated with delicate pearls, crystals, and bows—signature elements the brand often uses within every jewelry collection.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
In the cropped picture, Waterhouse cradled her daughter, who wore pigtails tied with tiny white bows.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
During that period, sales taxes would be lifted on select outdoor gear, including tents priced under $200 and fishing rods priced at $75 or less, along with firearms, ammunition, bows and crossbows.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
During that period, sales taxes would be lifted on select camping and fishing gear, including tents priced under $200 and fishing rods priced at $75 or less, along with firearms, ammunition, bows and crossbows.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
In such a more-is-more approach, classic crisp white shirts and those with big bows popped up as the essential pieces to have in the closet.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
For a stylish touch, the pitcher has a glossy, pink finish that’s complemented by embossed bows, an ergonomic handle, and an easy-pour spout.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Floppy oversized bows on lace slips or sheer blouses?
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 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
-
Crafted into undone bends, the style disguises flyaways and limp ends.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Navigating the subtle bends of the lake behind Englebright Dam, the vessel chugged across the otherwise still water, the late afternoon sun shimmering across the ripples in its wake.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Don’t sleep on the dreamy lobby, perched high above the sea and featuring undulating wooden partitions that resemble the curves of coral reefs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
-
This Madewell pair is made from high-quality denim with a subtle stretch to hug your curves and ensure all-day comfort.—
Jordan Julian,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 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
-
There, biological imaging specialist Thomas van de Kamp oversaw the operation, as intense X-ray beams swept through each specimen and high-speed detectors recorded thousands of projection images from multiple angles.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Video from multiple angles showed that Pretti did not try to draw his gun from his waistband before or during the scuffle with federal agents.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Small ships like this one remain one of the most effective—and intimate—ways of accessing the twists and turns of the Amazon Basin, allowing vessels to moor in remote riverine communities and forests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The standard rear-axle steering with a seven-degree lock angle shrinks the curb-to-curb turning circle to just 35 feet—comparable to the compact CLA sedan—while the more direct front-axle steering ratio means fewer turns of the wheel to execute a full U-turn.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Snow piles grew even faster where strong winds had swept the powder over ridgelines and deposited it on north-facing slopes.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Tornadoes are possible in the afternoon and evening, and large hail and strong winds may come in the evening and stay overnight.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
No Route 66 road trip is complete without a stop at the First Original McDonald’s Museum in San Bernardino, California, a veritable shrine to the golden arches.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Named after Austrian engineer Josef Melan, the design, which allowed for faster construction, incorporated arched steel beams supporting concrete arches that supported the bridge’s structure.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Though processes such as glaciation and erosion largely shape the profile of most mountains, the Zagros Mountains trace the literal folds of the continental collision in long, unbroken ridges.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The camera on the Honor Robot Phone folds back into the body of the device.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bows. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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