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
Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Voluminous outerwear, lots of layering, velvet, lace, bows and fringe were pervasive.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
Cutouts frame cherry aura designs and playful gold bows.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Add big ribbons and bows to the backs of chairs for a little more vintage flair.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
Under that, the actor wore the teeniest-tiniest black miniskirt and bright red thigh-highs with pink ribbons tied around them in bows, like garters.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2026
Streaming windows generally are around 90-100 days or more after a movie bows in cinemas.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Also consider thrifting Christmas décor, such as red or pink bows, which serve double-duty during the holidays.
—Ashley Poskin, Martha Stewart, 1 Feb. 2026
Gangs fought with bows and flaming arrows, and the murder rate was among the world’s highest.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 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
Being trained in combat, and armed with swords, spears, and bows and arrows, the gladiators were able to turn the tables on the wild beasts; the result was another predictable slaughter, in this case of the animals.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Voluminous outerwear, lots of layering, velvet, lace, bows and fringe were pervasive.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
Cutouts frame cherry aura designs and playful gold bows.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Add big ribbons and bows to the backs of chairs for a little more vintage flair.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
Under that, the actor wore the teeniest-tiniest black miniskirt and bright red thigh-highs with pink ribbons tied around them in bows, like garters.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2026
Streaming windows generally are around 90-100 days or more after a movie bows in cinemas.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Also consider thrifting Christmas décor, such as red or pink bows, which serve double-duty during the holidays.
—Ashley Poskin, Martha Stewart, 1 Feb. 2026
Gangs fought with bows and flaming arrows, and the murder rate was among the world’s highest.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 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
-
The damping is also harsher than the bZ’s, but make no mistake, the ride’s still soft and generally comfortable, and this thing unapologetically rolls in the bends.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Prices of crypto currencies, especially bitcoin, did a deep-knee bends, ditto for gold and silver.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Original EveryWear Zero Waistband Micro Flare Jeans Designed to hug your curves and shape your waist, the Zero Waistband Micro Flare Jeans have a flare leg and a high waist that elongates the legs.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
-
An accidental rear-end collision is what brings Davis and Maya together in the first place—and their ensuing relationship, though not without its bumps, sends the story on some of its more pleasurable curves.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
13 Feb. 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
-
Because the sky looks like a gigantic sphere surrounding us, astronomers use angles to measure apparent size.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Varying grips, angles and equipment can also help stimulate different portions of the muscle and reduce plateaus.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The journey winds through sweeping turns before plunging into a dramatic 910-degree double helix that spirals into a mine shaft, delivering both heart-pounding excitement and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
And then there's the descent, rife with dicey turns at high speed.—
Rob Marciano,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At one point, winds were gusting 50-55 mph along a line that stretched from Poway to Point Loma, drawing an alert from the National Weather Service.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Gusty winds, low elevation rain, and mountain snow are forecast for the region.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The living room/bedroom is all lovely arches and warm wooden millwork, including what looks like an inlaid wood medallion on the floor.—
Katie McDonough,
Curbed,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The aetrex Signature Arch Support is strategically placed further back than other arches to align your body and stabilize your feet.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There are interesting folds to this Catherine as well.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Her neighbors live within easy walking distance but their homes are barely visible, one to the next, because of folds in the hills and the density of trees and cacti.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bows. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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