BOWED Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

bowed 1 of 3

adjective

ˈbau̇d

Definition of bowed

as in bowing

bending downward or forward the bowed branches of the weeping willow offered some protection from the rain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lowered

directed down with bowed heads the mourners recited a prayer for the repose of her soul

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bowed

2 of 3

verb (1)

past tense of bow

as in succumbed

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

as in submitted

to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit) bowed to the craving for fresh coffee

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bowed

3 of 3

verb (2)

past tense of bow

as in curved

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

straightened

as in arched

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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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 bowed

Verb

Roberto De Feo, an Italian director and screenwriter, says the breakout success of Obsession and Backrooms has allowed Paolo Strippoli’s campy, fun Italian horror thriller The Spiral, which bowed in Venice and is now potentially up for an Oscar. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 Embiid appeared to wonder during the national anthem where the Knicks' championship banner was hanging in the rafters as James sat nearby on the bench with his head bowed and hands clasped. — CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 The film bowed in the Midnight Madness section at the Toronto Film Festival and will have its Asian premiere at Singapore’s Capitol Theatre. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 Accordingly, The Marriage Market bowed in Germany first, on ProSieben’s streaming platform Joyn. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026 The enmity between the sides grew after the Irish players wore black armbands and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem before the first match. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 Over the past 15 years, Da Vittorio has expanded to key international cities, from Saint Moritz, which opened in 2012, to Shanghai, which bowed in 2019. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026 Clancy’s father, seated in the second row directly behind his daughter, leaned forward and bowed his head. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026 As taiko accompanied the demonstration, Kawashita bowed, dipped the oversized brush and swept it across the paper in deliberate, fluid movements before completing the work with her signature in red. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowed

Adjective

James O’Donoghue, a planetary scientist with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, likened our planet’s tilting phenomenon to a nodding head.

— Aylin Woodward, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2021

Definition of nodding

Verb

Even those who have succumbed to cancer are able to be sent off like this, since toxic chemotherapy drugs are usually long gone from the body by the time of passing.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
The city’s Medical Examiner ruled the victim’s death a homicide after determining Wong succumbed to stab wounds to his neck and torso.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of succumbed

Verb

Where the Duo has curved edges and a distinct D-like appearance, the Z Fold 8 is strictly rectangular with sharp edges all around.

— Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s central plaza, which spreads out beneath the building’s curved, hovering form, was always meant to be a generous civic space.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of curved

Adjective

And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.

— David Mamet, National Review, 11 Aug. 2022
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.

— Helen Shaw, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2021

Definition of weeping

Adjective

But other analysts say that crime is following a long-time downward trend that was interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Metal forks are stored handles downward and plastic forks are positioned both directions for patron self service.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of downward

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“Bowed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowed. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bowed

adjective

verb (1)

verb (2)

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