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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bows
Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 3 June 2026
Napoleonic tailoring is reworked through a modern lens, and ruffled necklines and opulent bows overtake more demure details.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 2 June 2026
After Saturday night’s performance of the hard-hitting legal drama — a role that recently won Pike an Olivier Award — the Saltburn and Pride and Prejudice star took to the stage for the final bows.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
Coco Jones wears a stunning light purple midi dress adorned with bows at the Strung opening night screening during the 2026 American Black Film Festival on May 27 in Miami Beach, Florida.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
In a retro nod, the swimsuit featured cute bows on each shoulder strap.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 30 May 2026
The show opens this week at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT and bows on July 2 at Disney California Adventure.
—Robert Niles, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
Exempt items include ammo, firearms, bows, arrows, wrist guards, muzzles, silencers, rods and reels of $75 or less, tackle boxes of $30 or less, tents of $200 or less, sleeping bags, hammocks, camping stoves, camp chairs of $50 or less, and lanterns and flashlights $30 or less.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 May 2026
While the fashion interpretation of this trend is all about ruffles, bows, and pastels, the baby name version is more about embodying cuteness.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 21 May 2026
Justin Kroll, Deadline, 20 May 2026
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
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
Those who were in the trenches with me might recall the adorable Sandy Liang Baggu with bows (which are now resold on eBay) selling out almost instantly, with many DIYers opting to add ribbon to the straps of their Mini Nylon Shoulder Bags in response.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 3 June 2026
Napoleonic tailoring is reworked through a modern lens, and ruffled necklines and opulent bows overtake more demure details.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 2 June 2026
After Saturday night’s performance of the hard-hitting legal drama — a role that recently won Pike an Olivier Award — the Saltburn and Pride and Prejudice star took to the stage for the final bows.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
Coco Jones wears a stunning light purple midi dress adorned with bows at the Strung opening night screening during the 2026 American Black Film Festival on May 27 in Miami Beach, Florida.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
In a retro nod, the swimsuit featured cute bows on each shoulder strap.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 30 May 2026
The show opens this week at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT and bows on July 2 at Disney California Adventure.
—Robert Niles, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
Exempt items include ammo, firearms, bows, arrows, wrist guards, muzzles, silencers, rods and reels of $75 or less, tackle boxes of $30 or less, tents of $200 or less, sleeping bags, hammocks, camping stoves, camp chairs of $50 or less, and lanterns and flashlights $30 or less.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 May 2026
While the fashion interpretation of this trend is all about ruffles, bows, and pastels, the baby name version is more about embodying cuteness.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 21 May 2026
Verb
The plan would be to shoot the film later this summer in Los Angeles after Damon is done promoting Odyssey, which bows July 18.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 20 May 2026
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
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
-
Tired of losing water pressure because of bends in your garden hose?—
Quincy Bulin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2026
-
Everything from trees to octopuses bends and twists.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
How to Tackle Lawn Fungus Whether or not your lawn succumbs to a fungal disease is not entirely within your control.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
28 May 2026
-
In the May 10 episode of Marshals, Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Cal (Logan Marshall-Green) lose another of their former Navy SEAL teammates, as Garrett (Riley Green) succumbs to his injuries from a fire.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Greggio said Gabby consistently turns his school work on time, takes pride in it and submits high-quality work.—
Marianne Love,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
-
The Bitcoin Ticket Miner submits your ticket for every draw, around the clock, from a compact device that barely sips power.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
The dials are all adorned with a railway minute track that curves around every petal to accentuate the flower’s form.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
19 May 2026
-
The Page style has a narrow slingback strap, a slim stiletto heel and an open front that curves into a small, petal-like peep-toe rather than a sharp cutout.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Smith arches over the patient, his body an umbrella to protect the wound.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
-
The protective netting that arches over so many of the roads in the eastern Donbas region – stopping drones in their tracks – is not your friend here, but a limitation on movement.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
There are hardly any flat architectural surfaces, and NAUSICAÄ is shaped by curvatures and louvred details.—
Bill Springer,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The ayatollahs won’t make any deal that surrenders their nuclear program.—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2026
-
Alex Murdaugh surrenders Murdaugh turned himself in at the Hampton County Detention Center.—
Marlene Lenthang,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Armour hooks my arm, and the panic abates.—
Adam Erace,
Fortune,
24 May 2026
-
Marketing experts say while more and more cash is flowing into the clip-ification of all things, those watching the content can view clips as cheap and disposable moments, not something that hooks someone on a show or internet personality.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bows. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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