Synonyms of cow

cow

verb

as in to intimidate

to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats

a sharp glare cowed the child into being quiet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intimidate
• bully
• frighten
• scare
• badger
• startle
• coerce
• pick on
• strong-arm
• bullyrag
• browbeat
• bulldoze
• shock
• hector
• bogart
• blackjack
• harass
• spook
• threaten
• pressure
• hound
• menace
• force
• alarm
• bluster
• terrify
• terrorize
• dragoon
• distress
• horrify
• affright
• disturb
• bludgeon
• compel
• push around
• psych (out)
• alarum
• upset
• unman
• trash-talk
• oblige
• press
• perturb
• constrain
• discompose
• disquiet
• make
• disconcert
• unnerve
• demoralize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• steel
• comfort
• cheer
• console
• reassure
• soothe
• encourage
• solace
• convince
• persuade
• hearten
• embolden

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cow different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cow are browbeat, bulldoze, bully, and intimidate. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

When is it sensible to use browbeat instead of cow?

The words browbeat and cow can be used in similar contexts, but browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

In what contexts can bulldoze take the place of cow?

While in some cases nearly identical to cow, bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

Where would bully be a reasonable alternative to cow?

Although the words bully and cow have much in common, bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

When can intimidate be used instead of cow?

While the synonyms intimidate and cow are close in meaning, intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cow

Some European countries, deserted by the United States and lacking a formidable European-only defense alliance, may be cowed into cutting deals with Moscow. —Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2025

District 203 should be lauded for its support of inclusivity and not cowed into bending its beliefs by civil rights complaints. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025

Who can say that ratcheting up the intimidation won't cow Congress and leave Trump to have his way with the world? —Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

The 2019 strikes did not cow Pakistan or separatist militants; the cycle of attack and reprisal persists, with each incident raising the stakes for escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. —Sushant Singh, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025