BOWS Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

bows 1 of 3

noun

plural of bow

as in bends

something that curves or is curved her full lips form a pair of perfect bows

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bows

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of bow

as in succumbs

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 submits

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

bows

3 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of bow

as in curves

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

straightens

as in arches

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

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 bows

Noun

Bringing in the brand’s signature Polly Pocket-esque aesthetic, the eyewear is accompanied by seven magnetic baubles — including hearts, butterflies, bows, lips and stars — motifs that are seen across the brand. — Madison Collins, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 That spirit was alive across collections, where sweet bows, light pink shades, ruffles, and even embroidered kittens made their way onto bridal looks. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 The race to see who would come out on top among the week’s two other top 10 album bows was a squeaker, separated by a few hundred units. — Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026 Wide, pale pink, satin ribbons were threaded loosely throughout the dress, culminating in bows at the shoulders. — Marci Robin, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026 The gunner removes his tricorn hat and bows to another artillerist, giving him permission to load the cannon ball. — Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Verb

Beabadoobee scored her first Top 10 album with Pylon, which bows at Number Seven. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026 Crawl 2 will be up against Sony’s Fake Skating and also bows the week after Warner Bros/DC’s Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026 Related Stories The announcement was made on the eve of the Warsaw International Film Festival where the film bows in competition. — Annika Pham, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026 Sophie Cunningham/transgender debate has no easy right or wrong // FIFA bows to pressure from Europe boycott, abandons private-equity plan // History suggests Miami Dolphins may be surprise team in ’26 // Cancel that intro. — Greg Cote august 16, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026 Jokic is a back-to-back champ, and even Kendrick Perkins bows down. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 9 Aug. 2026 The comic is an outgrowth of Shaboozey’s upcoming album The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales, which bows July 31. — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026 In another image, Kate bows her head and pulls Princess Charlotte tightly into her for a hug. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 July 2026 When two angels in disguise as men arrive in Sodom, Lot meets them at the town gates, bows reverently, and invites them to pass the night in his house. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bows

Noun

When the drone flies near an object and a whisker grazes or bends against a surface, the pressure changes at the base are measured in under two milliseconds, enabling the drone to calculate contact location and depth with millimeter precision.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
Ideal for those who don’t want earbuds sitting in their ear canals all day, the AeroClip is a flexible, comfortable earbud that can endure 20,000 bends and still deliver high-res bass.

— Carlos Mejia, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of bends

Verb

Our Streets and Sanitation Ward Superintendent and CDOT Public Way Inspector periodically share areas needing repair, and our office submits those for survey.

— Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Under Globes procedure, when a film submits in a category that goes against the grain, or one in which it would not typically be accepted, a letter from the director is required to proceed.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of submits

Verb

Animators studied ostriches before feeding their digital movement curves into a six-axis mechanical rig carrying the performers.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Ukiah to Boonville Head southwest on Highway 253, a two-lane road that curves through a dense forest.

— Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of curves

Verb

The ceiling arches in the back, hiding a tiny alcove where a couple sits tucked close, their legs tangled beneath the table.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
The galaxy arches high across the sky, with its brightest and most detailed regions now well placed after dusk.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of arches

Verb

After five books that try to interpret Elizabeth Taylor, Waters simply surrenders to the vision.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, the Harford County Humane Society tells CBS News Baltimore there have been 140 owner surrenders through the county's animal control this summer, which is double last summer's total.

— Tara Lynch, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of surrenders

Verb

Chrysalis hooks its clients up with social services and teaches them how to write a resume, navigate online job listings and handle an interview.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Right before guests arrive, attach fishing line to the wire cage and hang the fall flower arrangement using cup hooks indoors or on nearby branches outside.

— Maria Sabella, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of hooks

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bow out

bows

bows out

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Style

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

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Synonyms of bows

noun

verb (1)

verb (2)

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