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

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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 Instead, several of Kendall’s key allies are cowed by Logan’s intimidating presence — even Roman buckles under the pressure — and the media titan declares victory. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026 In exchange for the Sinaloa Cartel stealing votes on his behalf and cowing the political opposition into silence, Moya would essentially allow the cartel to operate with impunity. — Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026 With their long and crescent-shaped horns, the Inyambo cows graze at the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza and at the homes of some of Rwanda's richest people, including President Paul Kagame. — ABC News, 27 June 2026 Perhaps cowed by Concerned Parents’ aggression, the board voted in 1972 to remove from classrooms Mike Royko’s book Boss, an exposé of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. — Literary Hub, 25 June 2026 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 parking at Krog Street Market can be intimidating, but there’s no need to try to navigate the valet or the small lot in the front of the market.
    — Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
  • The Oura Ring 4 has dropped to $399, cutting a cool $100 off the intimidating $499 list price.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 4 July 2026
Definition of intimidate
Verb
  • This was a rabid, partisan home-soil advantage that flat-out bullied the squad into surviving.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
  • They got bullied in that one, showing a tremendous lack of physicality.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026
Definition of bully
Verb
  • At the time of writing, as the Marine Traffic map shows, tanker traffic is barely moving through the Strait, and many ships, unable to obtain insurance or with their owners frightened at the level of risk involved, are refusing to advance.
    — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • But because the president has frightened Congress, Congress doesn’t raise its voice when the president puts his Albert Speer–like building project, or intends to, on Congress’s land.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026
Definition of frighten
Verb
  • There was one American flag sign lit, with some storefront decor gleaming red, white and blue, but the heat seemingly scared most away from celebrating July 4 before Saturday's big day.
    — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Johnson says Monday was her first time on the Wild Mouse attraction; however, the experience did not scare her away from the park.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of scare
Verb
  • As aldermen badgered the buyer, seller and Johnson’s top lawyers during the no-vote hearing, some zeroed in on the mayor, accusing his team of being unnecessarily secretive.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026
  • My dad continued to badger me to turn it back to the White Sox game, which was in the middle innings.
    — Eric Koreen, New York Times, 21 June 2026
Definition of badger
Verb
  • Pochettino’s sources of American sports culture inspiration There were some aspects of American culture, and specifically American sports culture, that clearly startled Pochettino.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Today Twain would be startled by the passivity of a once-mighty Congress that has all but crumbled in the face of pressure from the White House.
    — Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
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 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cow

Nglish: Translation of cow for Spanish Speakers

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