as in intimidating
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats
a sharp glare cowed the child into being quiet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 cowing
Instead of cowing Iran, the Israeli strike escalated the war.
—
Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cowing
Verb
-
Her intimidating boss Bill Gibson (Jay Ellis) summons her and some other newbies to ask about Yarn Barn.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
-
If a thick field guide covering all the plants growing along the Front Range feels intimidating, apps can be useful, Mowen says.—
Jamie Siebrase,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Jenner was not personally accused of bullying behavior in the filing brought by Vasquez.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The report examined how job strain, effort-reward imbalance, job insecurity, long working hours, and workplace bullying contribute to cardiovascular disease and mental disorders.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Plus, nobody will careen past you at 110 mph, scaring you spitless.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
This isn’t a film about trauma, or smuggled-in social issues, or anything at all, really, besides the honest workaday business of scaring the bejesus out of its audience, rinsing, and repeating with extra vigor.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cowing. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
