as in shrinking
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 cowering
Jay Peters, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2026
His crackdown has more than a few similarities with a military invasion of some cities, his roundups have left immigrant communities cowering and their neighbors defiant.
—Phil Elliott, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
The homeless man accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in a Manhattan apartment building was found cowering in a closet in upstate New York when cops zeroed in on his location, prosecutors said Thursday.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
In some sense, there’s a palpable disgust that this community has responded not by cowering, not by submitting, not by being grateful for this sort of armed invasion that is meant to stress everyone out, but by trying to foil it.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Goetz saw two female passengers on the ground, paralyzed and cowering in fear.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Look to your right, where another patron, clad in the skin of a lion, will be cowering under his seat.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
The kids were heard cowering in fear.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
The Spruce Pets explains that socially anxious dogs might display timid behaviour such as pulling away, cowering, trembling or looking confused when approached by unfamiliar dogs.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Verb
The latest release, Resident Evil Requiem, tries to appeal to both sides by starring a new character, the cowering FBI agent Grace Ashcroft, and a series favorite, action hero Leon Kennedy.
—Jay Peters, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2026
His crackdown has more than a few similarities with a military invasion of some cities, his roundups have left immigrant communities cowering and their neighbors defiant.
—Phil Elliott, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
The homeless man accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in a Manhattan apartment building was found cowering in a closet in upstate New York when cops zeroed in on his location, prosecutors said Thursday.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
In some sense, there’s a palpable disgust that this community has responded not by cowering, not by submitting, not by being grateful for this sort of armed invasion that is meant to stress everyone out, but by trying to foil it.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Goetz saw two female passengers on the ground, paralyzed and cowering in fear.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Look to your right, where another patron, clad in the skin of a lion, will be cowering under his seat.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
The kids were heard cowering in fear.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
The Spruce Pets explains that socially anxious dogs might display timid behaviour such as pulling away, cowering, trembling or looking confused when approached by unfamiliar dogs.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cowering
Adjective
-
Re-wash and dry the garment, using these tips to avoid re-shrinking, to prevent a residue from the conditioner from setting.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Dermatologists are literally cringing about it.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The movie’s real sympathetic figure is Hall, played by Dacre Montgomery, who spends most of the movie cringing and flinching, while trying not to move.—
Mick LaSalle,
San Francisco Chronicle,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The more submissive the manager is, the more Frenza will rip into her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The project, which premiered at Sundance in January, is a zany and absurd exploration of a dominant-submissive relationship.—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Knorr and other team officials were in the room, but Stammen helped lead it without flinching.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The Alpha Wave acquisition suggests the Gulf’s biggest dealmakers aren’t flinching at opportunities in the US or being slowed by the war in Iran.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump and his top aides have been inconsistent in their messaging on their goals for the war, vacillating between calls for regime change and far shorter ambitions, such as an Islamic Republic that remains in power under leadership more acquiescent to the United States.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Don’t ask the Constitution to tame a reckless president supported by a cravenly acquiescent Congress.—
Clive Crook,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This film, so seemingly unassertive, apparently rambling and plotless, has a devastating impact and aftershock.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Accommodating, which is unassertive and cooperative, prioritizes the needs and preferences of others over one’s own in order to maintain harmony.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Accessibility The large-scale layout includes elevators, ramps, and accessible pathways throughout most areas of the property, and the hotel also offers ADA-compliant rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Phase one of improvements includes sidewalk widening and ramps compliant with the American Disabilities Act, as well as the resurfacing of the soundwall located along the road.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Neither is the machine that, partway through the play, noisily turns the stage into a great berg of foam, which slowly subsumes a resigned Kramer.—
Talya Zax,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The album’s 20 songs are the resigned and rueful sound of him making amends with his obscurity, and his larger place in the universe.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cowering. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
