cow

verb

Definition of cownext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cow different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cow are browbeat, bulldoze, bully, and intimidate. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

When is it sensible to use browbeat instead of cow?

The words browbeat and cow can be used in similar contexts, but browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

In what contexts can bulldoze take the place of cow?

While in some cases nearly identical to cow, bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

Where would bully be a reasonable alternative to cow?

Although the words bully and cow have much in common, bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

When can intimidate be used instead of cow?

While the synonyms intimidate and cow are close in meaning, intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

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 cow When Trump has needed to, the threat of primaries has cowed the skeptics back into line. — Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025 Far-right extremist groups have been cowed in the last four years by the fallout and prosecutions from the Jan. 6 insurrection, said Katherine Keneally, head of threat analysis and prevention at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. — Will Carless, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025 Rather than be cowed by pressure, Newcastle overwhelmed an admittedly-pathetic Manchester United. — Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 The temptation to dig the hole deeper is even stronger just now, with Gaza a smoldering ruin and all potential regional challengers cowed. — Max Rodenbeck, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cow
  1. intimidate
  2. bully
  3. frighten
  4. scare
  5. badger
  6. startle
Verb
  • The finale of Severance Season 2 finally answered what the intimidating project was, but not exactly the overall aim of it.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025
  • From helping a gobbler land the ladies to intimidating his rivals, the turkey snood is a fascinating adaptation.
    — Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of intimidate
Verb
  • In the novel and subsequent film adaptation, Sue initially joins in bullying Carrie but later decides to try to befriend her.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
  • With his carry-on bag, his ID and medication inside, now with the DEA, David had no choice but to step off the plane and was eventually bullied into permitting a search of his bag.
    — Andrew Wimer, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of bully
Verb
  • An American Airlines flight was forced to turn back around after a disruptive passenger began to frighten other passengers on the way from New York to Milan on Tuesday, April 8, the airline said.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.
    — Zameena Mejia, Refinery29, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of frighten
Verb
  • As part of their efforts, the duo are trained to simply scare the animals off and run five to seven miles daily, rain or shine.
    — Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Ant scare Anthony Edwards finished with a team-high 28 points on an efficient 10-for-15 shooting from the field.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of scare
Verb
  • For every Tommy John that welcomed her, there was a Reggie Jackson that badgered her.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Then, a year later, after months of badgering authorities, Evangelina finally got the funds to open her dream maternity clinic.
    — Laura Gómez, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of badger
Verb
  • In a now-viral video from Stacy Goss, the family was startled by the sight of a huge bald eagle gawking at them, but more concerningly, at their dog Gnocchi.
    — Rachel Raposas, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Area residents might remember similar sights of helicopters in 2023, when the sounds of gunfire and explosions from military training startled some in the Kansas City metro.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of startle

Browse Nearby Words

coveys
cow
coward
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cow. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on cow

Nglish: Translation of cow for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All