cow

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

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 cow McConnell is 82 and not running for reelection, whereas his colleagues are cowed that any opposition to the MAGA agenda, no matter how damaging this would be to the country, would harm their reelection chances. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2025 Newcastle were cowed and hanging on, forsaking ground. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 When Trump has needed to, the threat of primaries has cowed the skeptics back into line. Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025 Far-right extremist groups have been cowed in the last four years by the fallout and prosecutions from the Jan. 6 insurrection, said Katherine Keneally, head of threat analysis and prevention at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. Will Carless, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cow
Verb
  • During this protest, police intimidated and ultimately beat the strikers, resulting the death of at least six people, according to the American Postal Workers Union.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • Trump critics are pointing to this as another attempt to undermine the judiciary by intimidating judges with threats of arrest.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • So, thank you for bullying me into getting surgical hair replacement.
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • There have been 604 bullying and harassment cases, an average of 55 a year.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The king of the forest was once frightened by the sound of a bull.
    John Nemec, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The prospect of returning to the role, first for a West End reprise in February and then for the Brooklyn performance frightened her.
    Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In the beginning of the movie, Karsh goes on a date, but his grief scares the woman away.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
  • There were no players who really scared opposing defensive coordinators.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Speed isn’t Thomas’ game, but badgering receivers into submission until the QB decides to stop looking their way works just as well.
    Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
  • At times, the alienation effects smack of college-level Brecht, as when Macheath badgers the pit musicians and burns a fake copy of the score.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That aural reminder punctuates my days now, and frequently startles me.
    Rob Mank, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2025
  • But the website also has messages about residents being startled, as Catanzaro was, by stealthy contractors with air guns.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cow. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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