as in intimidated
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as in bullied
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats
a sharp glare cowed the child into being quiet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cowed
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
If the Democrats are cowed by that threat, their leaders are not showing it.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Quoting the president's message, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a Democrat, said his city would not be cowed by threats of military deployment.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
CEOs are cowed by the list, the FT’s Gillian Tett says.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
My hunch is that many who in private criticize Israel or America’s support for Israel never say a word in public, cowed into silence by the sword of Damocles hanging over them — the omnipresent threat of charges of antisemitism.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
In each of these instances, Trump wants power and the majority Republicans in Congress have been too cowed to resist him.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
The set’s background changed to a gaudy gold, Stewart played the role of an obsequious and cowed host who is terrified of saying the wrong thing on air (not entirely unlike how his former TDS colleague Stephen Colbert would play a right-wing character on the show).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Levy, for his part, does seem honestly fascinated and a little cowed by spending time with William, but that humility feels just as weird.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
If the Democrats are cowed by that threat, their leaders are not showing it.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Quoting the president's message, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a Democrat, said his city would not be cowed by threats of military deployment.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
CEOs are cowed by the list, the FT’s Gillian Tett says.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
My hunch is that many who in private criticize Israel or America’s support for Israel never say a word in public, cowed into silence by the sword of Damocles hanging over them — the omnipresent threat of charges of antisemitism.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
In each of these instances, Trump wants power and the majority Republicans in Congress have been too cowed to resist him.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
The set’s background changed to a gaudy gold, Stewart played the role of an obsequious and cowed host who is terrified of saying the wrong thing on air (not entirely unlike how his former TDS colleague Stephen Colbert would play a right-wing character on the show).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cowed
Adjective
-
The Dodgers are a great team, but the Phillies are likely not looking at them and feeling intimidated.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
While exhibitions are the biggest draw, the site has also welcomed more than 5,000 people to its open days, including 1,600 students from nearby schools who might feel intimidated to step into Chanel’s offices in central Paris.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
An unverified report circulated over the weekend that said Brown claimed Harbour bullied her on set.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The complaint alleges Kalumbula didn't protect the student when other students bullied him for having gay parents.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Not to the extent that the user is necessarily being browbeaten.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Malik’s boss is not happy that Malik doesn’t have a grip on the Crane brothers, though Malik assures him that Amos frightened Sarah into backing off — and that Dinah is tucked away at a safe house.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
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Don’t be frightened, though, fans; The Parent Trap gal is still in the competition!—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The song had an aggressive, staccato beat and vocal delivery; the general theme was Michael as an oppressed underdog fighting back.—
Dan Beck,
Variety,
21 Oct. 2025
-
One of the reasons why Muslims fast during Ramadan is to remember those who are oppressed or suffering, and to share in those emotions.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Add the scotch and Calvados and some crushed ice, and stir about 10 to 15 seconds, until a small frost begins to show on the outside of the mug.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The material is man-made from crushed quartz crystals combined with binders like resin and pigments for color.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Much of her derision is reserved for Joe (Adam Godley), her downtrodden husband and more pragmatic partner-in-crime.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The movie flattening Carrie into someone downtrodden and fragile, rather than standoffish and conflicted, makes the whole resolution feel a little too clean.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cowed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cowed. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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