as in cowhands
a hired hand who tends cattle or horses at a ranch or on the range
cowboys were rounding up the cattle for branding
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Recent Examples of cowboys
And they’ve been worn by working cowboys and just about every Western wannabe in the country.
—
Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
Do not expect to see actual cowboys.
—Mac Engel
june 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026
But rodeo attendees include hundreds of out-of-state cowboys and thousands of spectators, who come from across the country for calf roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, and the Pony Express, an eight-man relay race on horseback, which originated at Oklahoma rodeos in the early 1970s.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Think shows that include Argentine cowboys known as gauchos, Brazilian samba dancers, West African (Moko Jumbie) stilt walkers.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Learn about North Dakota's history of rodeos and ranching; see prizewinners' saddles; and visit a gallery of bronze sculptures depicting longhorns, horses, and cowboys.
—Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 1 June 2026
The Indians in my family were all cowboys and cowgirls.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
Today, the ranch remains fully operational, complete with cowboys, horses, and cattle—some of which reportedly supply beef to Ralph Lauren restaurants.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 May 2026
Vigilantes doling out justice in Hell’s Kitchen, steamy romances in the English countryside, and cowboys just trying to hang onto the ranch – again.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
Do not expect to see actual cowboys.
—Mac Engel
june 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026
But rodeo attendees include hundreds of out-of-state cowboys and thousands of spectators, who come from across the country for calf roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, and the Pony Express, an eight-man relay race on horseback, which originated at Oklahoma rodeos in the early 1970s.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Think shows that include Argentine cowboys known as gauchos, Brazilian samba dancers, West African (Moko Jumbie) stilt walkers.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Learn about North Dakota's history of rodeos and ranching; see prizewinners' saddles; and visit a gallery of bronze sculptures depicting longhorns, horses, and cowboys.
—Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 1 June 2026
The Indians in my family were all cowboys and cowgirls.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
Today, the ranch remains fully operational, complete with cowboys, horses, and cattle—some of which reportedly supply beef to Ralph Lauren restaurants.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 May 2026
Vigilantes doling out justice in Hell’s Kitchen, steamy romances in the English countryside, and cowboys just trying to hang onto the ranch – again.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cowboys
cowhands
Noun
-
There are plenty of places to take a horse, with experienced cowhands to guide the way.—
Jenny Peters,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Now, the ranch is proactively using drones equipped with speakers and bright lights as stand-in cowhands, WSJ reported.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cowboys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cowboys. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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