as in shrinking
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Recent Examples of cowering
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The staff member can be seen cowering down to fend off the attack and then turns and squares up to the irate passenger, who’s wearing a green colored top and army green pants.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024
The trauma of war is ever-present in Honda's vision, which sees citizens fleeing for their lives and cowering in the rubble of their homes.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 18 Oct. 2024
Neither do the cowering members of Slough House.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Hence the obtuse rabbis, the cowering Uncle Yasha, and, in Aliyah of the 1990s, the naked Russian woman, presumably a prostitute, presenting herself doggy-style.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The commuter, who was still wearing her pizzeria uniform, was captured on train surveillance video cowering as her attacker towered over her minutes before the attack.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The staff member can be seen cowering down to fend off the attack and then turns and squares up to the irate passenger, who’s wearing a green colored top and army green pants.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024
The trauma of war is ever-present in Honda's vision, which sees citizens fleeing for their lives and cowering in the rubble of their homes.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 18 Oct. 2024
Neither do the cowering members of Slough House.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Hence the obtuse rabbis, the cowering Uncle Yasha, and, in Aliyah of the 1990s, the naked Russian woman, presumably a prostitute, presenting herself doggy-style.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cowering
Verb
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Pub purists, meanwhile, are cringing.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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On the other side are GOP lawmakers cringing at the departure of so many CDC officials.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Your stronger body will give you the confidence that comes from moving without flinching.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
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Share relevant proof that mirrors their situation, name your price without flinching, and close with one clear question.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Jason Ardizzone-West’s set is a predictable slick white box, its blank surfaces submissive to the constant barrage of Brad Peterson’s video projections.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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Managers are no longer as cautious, players are no longer as submissive, supporters are no longer as in awe.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Where Chelsea’s domestic overseers have been largely acquiescent to their accounting ingenuity, the same can’t be said abroad.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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Netanyahu appears convinced that his country’s security, along with his own political survival, depends on prolonging the military offensives and keeping both Gaza and Lebanon ungovernable, and therefore acquiescent.—
Mohanad Hage Ali,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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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
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Shy and unassertive, she’s often been overlooked by others and kept to herself.—
Yasmine AlSayyad,
The New Yorker,
9 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Workplace innovation in the AI era will belong to those who are curious, not just those who are compliant.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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The state sued Huntington Beach in March 2023, alleging that the city violated state law by refusing to submit a compliant housing element and creating zoning to support more housing construction.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Just 14 yards on resigned run plays were, however, according to Pro Football Focus.—
Oliver Thomas,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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As new members have replaced the resigned ones, the board has ramped up focus on policies around LGBTQ+ students, dress codes and health curriculum.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Republican senators have largely been deferential to Kennedy.—
Elvia Limon - 09,
The Hill,
7 Sep. 2025
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The surroundings are deferential, completed by a group of friends enjoying conversation encouraged by physical comfort and a visual calm.—
Joseph Giovannini,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cowering. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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