as in to intimidate
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats
a sharp glare cowed the child into being quiet
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cow
In each of these instances, Trump wants power and the majority Republicans in Congress have been too cowed to resist him.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
Schools and universities are being threatened and cowed into submission.
—For The Carroll County Times, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2025
Fortunately, professional historians have not been cowed like many university leaders, law firms and others who have shamefully capitulated to Trump’s assault on free speech and intellectual integrity.
—John Lawrence, Twin Cities, 18 July 2025
The party has also advantaged itself by taking authoritarian measures—cowing media outlets, harassing opponents, and exercising ever greater sway over India’s Election Commission.
—Hartosh Singh Bal, Foreign Affairs, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cow
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
Schools and universities are being threatened and cowed into submission.
—For The Carroll County Times, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2025
Fortunately, professional historians have not been cowed like many university leaders, law firms and others who have shamefully capitulated to Trump’s assault on free speech and intellectual integrity.
—John Lawrence, Twin Cities, 18 July 2025
The party has also advantaged itself by taking authoritarian measures—cowing media outlets, harassing opponents, and exercising ever greater sway over India’s Election Commission.
—Hartosh Singh Bal, Foreign Affairs, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cow
Verb
-
Trump administration members are going in a different direction, pressing for investigations of left-leaning groups that appear designed to intimidate, if not prosecute.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Dealing with debt collectors is a high-stress and intimidating experience.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Motivated largely by his desire to please his dead father, who bullied him into believing that toughness is the essence of manhood, Cade insists on pushing past his injury and pursuing his dream.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Jeremiah has been so completely denigrated that the actor who plays him, Gavin Casalegno, has faced death threats, and the show’s official social media has posted public statements asking for fans to stop bullying him.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There are liberals in media, but the corporations are now either controlled by the right wing or frightened of it.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Notwithstanding the endless parade of ghosts, demons, serial killers and at least one Mothman, Haunted Hotel is mostly not trying to frighten you.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Just enough time to snap some selfies and scare your housemates.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Their offense, outside their all-world quarterback, doesn’t scare anybody, not without Rashee Rice (suspension) and Xavier Worthy (injury), and with Travis Kelce in Year 13.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Jason Bateman shines in the scene with the Diamond District connect, fast-talking and badgering this guy within an inch of his life until Mancuso and Babbitt show up to take him out.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
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Impatient investors have been badgering the company for several years to cash in some of its more valuable assets.—
Greg Petro,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Seagulls lift off the beach, startled by the sudden salty cacophony.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
While some dogs are more confident, others may become easily startled by noises, objects, or movements that appear harmless to humans.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cow. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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