as in cowhands
a hired hand who tends cattle or horses at a ranch or on the range
cowboys were rounding up the cattle for branding
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Recent Examples of cowboys
In the right hands, delivered with an attitude that respects both the subjects and gallery visitors, this frantic exploration of cowboys and the West by art galleries can still have something to say.
—
Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
These cowboys who are actually a moving company who actually have a dream of becoming country rock stars?
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 15 May 2026
Vigilantes doling out justice in Hell’s Kitchen, steamy romances in the English countryside, and cowboys just trying to hang onto the ranch – again.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
This event has grown from some local cowboys having some fun to the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Here, such extended sequences of cowboys steering their steeds and working their land feel rushed.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
Besides those figures holding mufflers and tires, others were outfitted as cowboys, Indians, lumberjacks (often known as Paul Bunyans), astronauts, chefs, dentists, golfers, hot dog vendors, race-car drivers, pirates and service-station attendants.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Ninety prisoners took part, and 148 cowboys from across the country also competed for prize money.
—Arkansas Online, 9 May 2026
The undulating landscape lends itself to scenic horseback riding with outfits like Na’alapa Stables, which carries on the tradition of the paniolo cowboys who have herded cattle in the grassy highlands since the late 1800s.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
These cowboys who are actually a moving company who actually have a dream of becoming country rock stars?
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 15 May 2026
Vigilantes doling out justice in Hell’s Kitchen, steamy romances in the English countryside, and cowboys just trying to hang onto the ranch – again.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
This event has grown from some local cowboys having some fun to the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Here, such extended sequences of cowboys steering their steeds and working their land feel rushed.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
Besides those figures holding mufflers and tires, others were outfitted as cowboys, Indians, lumberjacks (often known as Paul Bunyans), astronauts, chefs, dentists, golfers, hot dog vendors, race-car drivers, pirates and service-station attendants.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Ninety prisoners took part, and 148 cowboys from across the country also competed for prize money.
—Arkansas Online, 9 May 2026
The undulating landscape lends itself to scenic horseback riding with outfits like Na’alapa Stables, which carries on the tradition of the paniolo cowboys who have herded cattle in the grassy highlands since the late 1800s.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cowboys
cowhands
Noun
-
There are plenty of places to take a horse, with experienced cowhands to guide the way.—
Jenny Peters,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Now, the ranch is proactively using drones equipped with speakers and bright lights as stand-in cowhands, WSJ reported.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cowboys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cowboys. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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