bow 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈbau̇ How to pronounce bow (audio)
Definition of bownext
1
as in to succumb
to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control) finally bowed to the judge's insistence that she change her outfit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to submit
to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit) bowed to the craving for fresh coffee

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bow

2 of 3

verb (2)

ˈbō How to pronounce bow (audio)
1
as in to curve
to turn away from a straight line or course the river bows gently to the north before it reaches the sea

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bend
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bow

3 of 3

noun

ˈbō How to pronounce bow (audio)
as in bend
something that curves or is curved her full lips form a pair of perfect bows

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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 bow
Verb
Golf Channel has also put the kibosh on a reboot of one of its legacy original series, which was to bow this fall under a new name (Big Break x Good Good). — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Curry joined the cast when the show bowed in Chicago in 2004, and his three-year stint also included a stop in London. — Lisa De Los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
The undrafted rookie put a bow on a strong camp by earning five tackles and a pretty pass breakup against the Rams. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Taylor doffed his signature pageboy cap for a humble bow following the soothing ballad. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bow
  1. succumb
  2. submit
  3. curve
  4. bend
  5. curvature
  6. concede
  7. surrender
  8. arch
Verb
  • The Liberty’s deficit stayed in double figures while succumbing to the pressure of Golden State’s small lineups.
    — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Wolf succumbs to Shura, a demonic force in the game’s mythology that possesses those who give in to bloodlust.
    — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of succumb
Verb
  • However, the action may not end at 11pm — deal sheets allow clubs to conclude signings two hours after the transfer window closes, provided the correct paperwork is submitted before the deadline.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • By Thursday evening, more than 60 people had been taken by ICE in Danbury, according to CT Students for a Dream, which tracks arrests based on video footage submitted by rapid response teams.
    — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of submit
Verb
  • But plenty of long-range computer models continue to show a future for the system, most as a tropical storm headed west toward the Caribbean, although plenty also show a potential track that curves north of Puerto Rico.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Several other curved, slender bones were soon found nearby, according to pictures shared with the station.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of curve
Verb
  • Just as their own fictions bend and weave tales, so too do their own lives and rivalries.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The flatter geometry makes the ruler much more responsive to the bending forces.
    — Pawel Maniewski, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of bend
Noun
  • This theory predicted that the light from distant stars appearing very close to the sun's edge should shift due to the curvature of space.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Samsung 32-inch Essential S3 sets a strong benchmark for budget big-screen value by pairing an immersive 1800R curvature with smooth 100-hertz refresh performance.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of curvature
Verb
  • Lawyers for the government had conceded that designating Anthropic as a supply chain risk didn't prevent companies from using the AI technology for other purposes.
    — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Dickson himself concedes there is still much work to be done to fully rehabilitate the Gap, as well as its sister brands.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of concede
Verb
  • Paul Skenes, last year’s NL Cy Young Award winner, lasted all of 4 2/3 innings, having surrendered five runs on eight hits.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • When the Blakes want the third iteration of their teenage son Geoff, young Nathan Donovan must surrender his mind for another’s—but the transfer fails, leaving both consciousnesses fighting for their survival.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of surrender
Verb
  • In the opposite direction, open the elbows wide, arching the back and lifting the chin to the sky.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Engineers maintained extremely gentle gradients across long distances while using tunnels, channels, and arched bridges to cross uneven terrain.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of arch

Phrases Containing bow

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bovine
bow
bowdlerization
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Cite this Entry

“Bow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bow. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bow

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bow

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