Synonyms of cower

cower

verb

ˈkau̇(-ə)r 

as in to cringe

to draw back or crouch down in fearful submission

the abused dog always cowered in the presence of its master

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cringe
• flinch
• grovel
• recoil
• quail
• shrink
• blanch
• kowtow
• whiten
• blench
• fawn
• toady
• squinch

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cower distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of cower are cringe, fawn, toady, and truckle. While all these words mean "to behave abjectly before a superior," cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people.

cowering before a bully

When might cringe be a better fit than cower?

The synonyms cringe and cower are sometimes interchangeable, but cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility.

a cringing sycophant

When could fawn be used to replace cower?

While in some cases nearly identical to cower, fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention.

waiters fawning over a celebrity

In what contexts can toady take the place of cower?

In some situations, the words toady and cower are roughly equivalent. However, toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude.

toadying to his boss

When is truckle a more appropriate choice than cower?

Although the words truckle and cower have much in common, truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior.

truckling to a powerful lobbyist

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cower

Montano is charged with first-degree murder and other felonies for allegedly shooting the officer after a chase as children cowered under a slide at a playground. —Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025

The same woman who, while her colleagues cowered in comfortable silence, stood as one of the only sitting members of Congress actively and vocally fighting this administration's assault on democracy. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

Yes, but: Even the perception of cowering to pressure from the Trump administration could impact corporate reputation and erode trust. —Eleanor Hawkins, Axios, 1 May 2025

Argentina’s lessons for the current moment are multiple: When tyrants threaten, more people and institutions may cower than resist; the loss of checks on state violence can be catastrophic; and no one knows who the next victim will be. —Julia M. Klein, The Atlantic, 11 July 2025