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

With several strippers, patrons and employees cowering in fear, the two men talk. — Selome Hailu, Variety, 1 June 2026

Anaia, feeling jilted that the letter was addressed only to Racine, cowers in hurt, like a street cat. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

In this story, Moses is a reluctant hero, who initially cowers from God and questions his own ability to perform the divine deed. — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

But Wednesday night, they were handed a harsh lesson from a true contender — one that smelled blood against a team that cowered and played scared to death from the 20-minute mark on. — Michael Russo, New York Times, 14 May 2026