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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bows
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
Over the past two months, Texans have used green ribbons with bows to commemorate the lives lost in the July 4 Hill Country flooding, which killed more than 100 people, including more than two dozen girls and counselors from Camp Mystic in Hunt.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
Neckties and pussycat bows remain a Bella Freud signature, and Ruspoli also helped Freud secure her first clothing commission—by introducing her to his friend Keith Richards.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Featuring four polished wooden blocks in warm tones topped with knotted jute rope bows, the set adds an autumnal charm with minimal fuss.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Then the wives and kids and dogs, including Jip and me, went into action with sticks and clubs and bows and arrows.
—Robert Easton, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025
That means family members must show her the formal respect of bows and curtsies.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Sep. 2025
But, up close, her manicure was adorned with dimensional tennis skirts, bows, balls, rackets, and ruby tones with green aura.
—Essence, 30 Aug. 2025
Students will learn about the different types of bows and techniques for target archery and bowhunting.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2025
Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
The set bows with 63,000 equivalent album units earned.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
Both were standout bows in their respective years.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
Over the past two months, Texans have used green ribbons with bows to commemorate the lives lost in the July 4 Hill Country flooding, which killed more than 100 people, including more than two dozen girls and counselors from Camp Mystic in Hunt.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
Neckties and pussycat bows remain a Bella Freud signature, and Ruspoli also helped Freud secure her first clothing commission—by introducing her to his friend Keith Richards.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Featuring four polished wooden blocks in warm tones topped with knotted jute rope bows, the set adds an autumnal charm with minimal fuss.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Then the wives and kids and dogs, including Jip and me, went into action with sticks and clubs and bows and arrows.
—Robert Easton, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025
That means family members must show her the formal respect of bows and curtsies.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Sep. 2025
But, up close, her manicure was adorned with dimensional tennis skirts, bows, balls, rackets, and ruby tones with green aura.
—Essence, 30 Aug. 2025
Students will learn about the different types of bows and techniques for target archery and bowhunting.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
The set bows with 63,000 equivalent album units earned.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bows
Noun
-
Instead of going dark, some sunlight still reaches the moon, glowing red because Earth’s atmosphere bends and filters the sunlight.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
For more uniform waves, though, Leake recommends loose twists and rope braids with six sections—this will make for tighter bends—always wrapping them away from the face for a more voluminous, and overall more flattering, style.—
Lisa DeSantis,
Glamour,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Indeed, Morton would already be at 200 if one of his wild curves hadn't been so effective last month.—
Ryan Ford,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Gentle sweeps and curves are better than straight rows that merely repeat the legal lines of your property boundaries.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Just look at the curvatures displayed by the unique design setting it apart from the rest.—
Marc D. Grasso,
Boston Herald,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Its signature lies in fluid curvatures and elegant silhouettes that strike the perfect balance between understated and striking.—
Lauren Alexis Fisher,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2019
Noun
-
At certain angles, the photo’s dark backdrop allows viewers to see the reflection of former President Barack Obama’s portrait that depicts him surrounded by greenery and flowers representing Chicago and Hawaii.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
My inner circle also made sure my body angles were flattering, my cheeks — all of them — were flushed and perky, and my facial expressions were authentic and strong.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Recent history is full of examples of people who won big jackpots only to see their lives take nightmarish turns.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The ensemble includes memorable turns from Katy O’Brian as Christy’s friend and formal rival, Lisa Holewyne and Merritt Wever as Christy’s cold mother.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The low was expected to be 78, with winds expected to calm after midnight.—
Staff reports,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Forecasters said the tropical wave is expected to enter a pocket of more storm-friendly conditions — like warmer water and less destructive winds — in the next few days that will give it a chance to strengthen.—
Alex Harris
Updated September 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
His time under the golden arches also seeded an obsession with systems and taught him the importance of keeping operations lean and relentlessly focusing on customers.—
Martina Castellanos,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Other times, McDonald’s golden arches have graced the runway for Moschino and Vetements.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One story, or memory, leads to another as the novel telescopes and folds in on itself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The electrically retractable hardtop folds away beneath the roof at the press of a button, and there's no rear windshield to interrupt the monolithic shape of the vehicle.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bows. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share