as in bends
something that curves or is curved
her full lips form a pair of perfect bows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in succumbs
to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control)
finally bowed to the judge's insistence that she change her outfit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in submits
to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit)
bowed to the craving for fresh coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in curves
to turn away from a straight line or course
the river bows gently to the north before it reaches the sea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arches
to cause to turn away from a straight line
you'll have to gently bow the strip of wood in order to fit it in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bows
Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Add big ribbons and bows to the backs of chairs for a little more vintage flair.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
Under that, the actor wore the teeniest-tiniest black miniskirt and bright red thigh-highs with pink ribbons tied around them in bows, like garters.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2026
Streaming windows generally are around 90-100 days or more after a movie bows in cinemas.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Also consider thrifting Christmas décor, such as red or pink bows, which serve double-duty during the holidays.
—Ashley Poskin, Martha Stewart, 1 Feb. 2026
The dress featured a ruching detail at the front, which connected at the center of the dress and decorated with two bows at the neckline and at the hem.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 28 Jan. 2026
Gangs fought with bows and flaming arrows, and the murder rate was among the world’s highest.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Drawing from the series’ most iconic symbols — bows, bees, wisteria, and friendship motifs — the collection reimagines Bridgerton’s ornate world through a modern, wearable lens.
—Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Inside, surrounded by butter lamps and intricate iconography, even my skeptical husband bows before the Buddha.
—Shunali Khullar Shroff, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Nov. 2025
With her hand over her heart, the pair appear to have a heartfelt moment together, before each of them holds their hands together and bows toward each other in a traditional Thai gesture.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
He also is set to reprise his role in the upcoming sequel to Five Nights at Freddy’s, which bows next month.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2025
The final man, in a last-second protective reflex, bows his head and crosses his hands over it, but bullets send him flying backward, and the other militiamen join in, firing repeatedly at the dead bodies.
—Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
This Hulu series, which bows season five in September, brings together the lovable misfits of the Arcadia, a grand apartment building in New York City where way too many people get murdered.
—Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
His new film, The Christophers, which bows in Toronto’s Special Presentations section, was made entirely outside the system.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Confidence in the Fed's autonomy could take a blow if the Fed bows down to a president's demands without a sound basis.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
Cutouts frame cherry aura designs and playful gold bows.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Add big ribbons and bows to the backs of chairs for a little more vintage flair.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2026
Under that, the actor wore the teeniest-tiniest black miniskirt and bright red thigh-highs with pink ribbons tied around them in bows, like garters.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2026
Streaming windows generally are around 90-100 days or more after a movie bows in cinemas.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Also consider thrifting Christmas décor, such as red or pink bows, which serve double-duty during the holidays.
—Ashley Poskin, Martha Stewart, 1 Feb. 2026
The dress featured a ruching detail at the front, which connected at the center of the dress and decorated with two bows at the neckline and at the hem.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 28 Jan. 2026
Gangs fought with bows and flaming arrows, and the murder rate was among the world’s highest.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Drawing from the series’ most iconic symbols — bows, bees, wisteria, and friendship motifs — the collection reimagines Bridgerton’s ornate world through a modern, wearable lens.
—Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
The film bows in Berlin’s Perspectives section.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Inside, surrounded by butter lamps and intricate iconography, even my skeptical husband bows before the Buddha.
—Shunali Khullar Shroff, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Nov. 2025
With her hand over her heart, the pair appear to have a heartfelt moment together, before each of them holds their hands together and bows toward each other in a traditional Thai gesture.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
He also is set to reprise his role in the upcoming sequel to Five Nights at Freddy’s, which bows next month.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2025
The final man, in a last-second protective reflex, bows his head and crosses his hands over it, but bullets send him flying backward, and the other militiamen join in, firing repeatedly at the dead bodies.
—Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
This Hulu series, which bows season five in September, brings together the lovable misfits of the Arcadia, a grand apartment building in New York City where way too many people get murdered.
—Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
His new film, The Christophers, which bows in Toronto’s Special Presentations section, was made entirely outside the system.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Confidence in the Fed's autonomy could take a blow if the Fed bows down to a president's demands without a sound basis.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bows
Noun
-
His bends and sighs can be heard on records from Mouth Painter, North Americans, the Rose City Band and Jeffrey Silverstein, not to mention a string of solo albums both alone and with various bands (the post-rocking Tanks, the more sedate Unit).—
Daniel Bromfield,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Those bends tend to set up in ways that reinforce background conditions related to Earth’s geography, Swain says.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The tension in a luge sled allows athletes to manipulate it just so, digging in the runners and steering with sharp precision around curves.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The downhill was already one of the signature events of Alpine skiing, a can’t-look-away showcase as women carve down mountains, around curves and over jumps, pushing 80 mph.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Its outstanding appeal, grandish curvatures and extraordinary interior design are just the norm for the upscale interior brand.—
Marc D. Grasso,
Boston Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Posture Changes Spine curvatures can make standing up straight difficult, causing lower right back pain.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If runways in Milan and Paris offer any early hint, NYFW may be defined more by curved silhouettes and soft edges than by harsh angles and bright yet classic colorplay in place of the ever-present clean-girl aesthetic.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The book opens its aperture to the amplest of wide angles, too.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To keep the hairpin turns and runaway carousel rides to a minimum, Dietrich, his chief lieutenant, Josh Belovsky, and assistants Ryan Day and Tony Schifano — the latter joining the staff this year — hit the recruiting trail and transfer portal hard.—
Brian Robin,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The highs, the lows, the warmth, the weird little left turns.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
On top of the wet conditions, some strong winds will accompany the storm, especially in the mountain areas, where gusts are expected to reach 30 to 50 mph.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Harper and Yasmin, who’s emerged as the series’ co-lead, started out among Pierpoint’s newest hires; by the end of Season 3, the firm had been effectively dissolved, its novice traders scattered to the winds.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Afternoon light sweeps across the terrace, casting long shadows along arches and curved walls.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2026
-
At nearly 745 feet above sea level, the vast arches of the Temple of Jupiter Anxur, from the first century BC, still command the shore.—
Erica Firpo,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some have the long silky fur of Persian cats; others the trademark ears of Scottish folds.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
10 Feb. 2026
-
During a search at the police department, Insogna was allegedly found with 18 wax folds of heroin/fentanyl under her clothes near her ankle, the report said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bows. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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