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
Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 28 Jan. 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
Drawing from the series’ most iconic symbols — bows, bees, wisteria, and friendship motifs — the collection reimagines Bridgerton’s ornate world through a modern, wearable lens.
—Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
The 20-piece collection spans brushes, hair ties headbands, scrunchies, bonnets, claw clips and bows.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Jan. 2026
Velvet dresses, velvet suits, velvet tops, velvet bows—this '80s staple stands the test of time.
—Julia Guerra, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
The icons include bows, hearts, cherries, or lips.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2026
Ariana Grande stunned in a dramatic black Vivienne Westwood Couture ball gown that featured draping velvet straps tied in bows at the shoulders.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
And then there’s Alison’s Isabella Linton, who’s quite doll-like in her candy-pink gowns and bows?
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2026
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
The live-action film starring Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes and Idris Elba bows June 5, distributed by Amazon MGM Studios.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 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 dress featured a ruching detail at the front, which connected at the center of the dress and decorated with two bows at the neckline and at the hem.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 28 Jan. 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
Drawing from the series’ most iconic symbols — bows, bees, wisteria, and friendship motifs — the collection reimagines Bridgerton’s ornate world through a modern, wearable lens.
—Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
The 20-piece collection spans brushes, hair ties headbands, scrunchies, bonnets, claw clips and bows.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 Jan. 2026
Velvet dresses, velvet suits, velvet tops, velvet bows—this '80s staple stands the test of time.
—Julia Guerra, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
The icons include bows, hearts, cherries, or lips.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2026
Ariana Grande stunned in a dramatic black Vivienne Westwood Couture ball gown that featured draping velvet straps tied in bows at the shoulders.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
And then there’s Alison’s Isabella Linton, who’s quite doll-like in her candy-pink gowns and bows?
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
The live-action film starring Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes and Idris Elba bows June 5, distributed by Amazon MGM Studios.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 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
-
It has long been said that the arc of the moral universe bends towards justice.—
David Ostendorf,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
-
That path through air bends and filters sunlight, scattering blues and letting reds and oranges linger, often creating a razor-thin gradient that stretches thousands of miles along the planet's curve.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The European Rail Traffic Management System, now rolling out across the continent and beyond, gives them real-time target speeds, illustrations of braking curves and line status information many miles ahead, allowing for smoother, safer and more energy-efficient operations.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Avoid accelerating on bridges, icy patches or curves.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 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
-
After the initial burst of celebrity impressions, TikTokers began to approach the trend from different angles.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Other photos show her posing in different angles in a black two-piece SYRN lingerie set paired with an Abra top, Dolce & Gabbana boots and Messika High Jewelry bodychain.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Short-Track Speed Skating 1500m final, often a highlight for its intensity and adrenaline-inducing turns, will take place on February 12.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The Chilean musician channels the spirit of classic perreo on a reggaeton album shaped by sleek hooks and guided by the twists and turns of battle rap.—
Tomás Gauna,
Pitchfork,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In a December meeting, commissioners acknowledged customers’ frustrations, but added that the winds blew down hundreds of power lines onto the dry landscape.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Powerful winds from the star's disk act like a cosmic conveyor belt, propelling the crystals into the frigid outer disk, where comets may eventually form, according to a statement from NASA.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
My feet overpronate, but the shoes’ cushiony soles actively helped with my alignment, all while absorbing impact and providing premium support under my arches.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Cycling the Golden Gate Bridge is a rite of passage—where panoramic bay views unfurl beneath soaring red arches.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some may find this a bit too fine-grained, overly implicated in language’s self-enfolding folds.—
Katie Kadue,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Elsewhere, narrow paths run past juniper trees and sheer canyon edges where the land drops away in sudden, vertiginous folds.—
Anna Zacharias,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bows. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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