as in bends
something that curves or is curved
her full lips form a pair of perfect bows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in submits
to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit)
bowed to the craving for fresh coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in curves
to turn away from a straight line or course
the river bows gently to the north before it reaches the sea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bows
Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Families pile in with kids decked out in their Sunday best — bows in their hair, fluffy dresses, cowlicks gelled down.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Instead of bearing fishing poles, most have Soviet-era heavy machine guns bolted to their bows with a small rocket launcher atop.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
One daughter gives an electric grin, framed underneath two green hair bows.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
The black headphones feature two attachable black bows and an ear cushion embellished with symbols inspired by the singer’s music.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
This sweet peplum blouse features three front ties that can be styled into bows, short puff sleeves, and is available in black and a cheetah print as well.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
Those taking their bows later, for the principal parts, are seen only by the first rows and the very tall!
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Frances rounded out the group in a bubblegum pink tweed frock studded with bows and white Mary Jane shoes.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Apr. 2026
Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Inside, surrounded by butter lamps and intricate iconography, even my skeptical husband bows before the Buddha.
—Shunali Khullar Shroff, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Nov. 2025
With her hand over her heart, the pair appear to have a heartfelt moment together, before each of them holds their hands together and bows toward each other in a traditional Thai gesture.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
He also is set to reprise his role in the upcoming sequel to Five Nights at Freddy’s, which bows next month.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2025
The final man, in a last-second protective reflex, bows his head and crosses his hands over it, but bullets send him flying backward, and the other militiamen join in, firing repeatedly at the dead bodies.
—Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
This Hulu series, which bows season five in September, brings together the lovable misfits of the Arcadia, a grand apartment building in New York City where way too many people get murdered.
—Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
His new film, The Christophers, which bows in Toronto’s Special Presentations section, was made entirely outside the system.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Confidence in the Fed's autonomy could take a blow if the Fed bows down to a president's demands without a sound basis.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
One sweet baby could be seen wearing a pink tutu and pink flower hair bows, sleeping soundly in her photo.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Families pile in with kids decked out in their Sunday best — bows in their hair, fluffy dresses, cowlicks gelled down.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Instead of bearing fishing poles, most have Soviet-era heavy machine guns bolted to their bows with a small rocket launcher atop.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
One daughter gives an electric grin, framed underneath two green hair bows.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
The black headphones feature two attachable black bows and an ear cushion embellished with symbols inspired by the singer’s music.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
This sweet peplum blouse features three front ties that can be styled into bows, short puff sleeves, and is available in black and a cheetah print as well.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
Those taking their bows later, for the principal parts, are seen only by the first rows and the very tall!
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Frances rounded out the group in a bubblegum pink tweed frock studded with bows and white Mary Jane shoes.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
The film bows in Berlin’s Perspectives section.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Inside, surrounded by butter lamps and intricate iconography, even my skeptical husband bows before the Buddha.
—Shunali Khullar Shroff, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Nov. 2025
With her hand over her heart, the pair appear to have a heartfelt moment together, before each of them holds their hands together and bows toward each other in a traditional Thai gesture.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
He also is set to reprise his role in the upcoming sequel to Five Nights at Freddy’s, which bows next month.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2025
The final man, in a last-second protective reflex, bows his head and crosses his hands over it, but bullets send him flying backward, and the other militiamen join in, firing repeatedly at the dead bodies.
—Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
This Hulu series, which bows season five in September, brings together the lovable misfits of the Arcadia, a grand apartment building in New York City where way too many people get murdered.
—Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
His new film, The Christophers, which bows in Toronto’s Special Presentations section, was made entirely outside the system.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Confidence in the Fed's autonomy could take a blow if the Fed bows down to a president's demands without a sound basis.
—Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bows
Noun
-
Search in bends and folds of skin in areas such as the scalp, in and around the ears, under arms and behind knees, inside the belly button, around the waistline, and between fingers and toes.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
-
When the Kairos corners, its rear wheels tilt too, enabling it to lean into bends.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
An adjustable tie waistband allows for a comfortable fit while the fabric hugs the curves of your hips and flares at mid-calf for a fun, spring-ready finish.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Dispatch curves determine which plants run when, whereas reserve scheduling ensures backup capacity is always available.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Its outstanding appeal, grandish curvatures and extraordinary interior design are just the norm for the upscale interior brand.—
Marc D. Grasso,
Boston Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Posture Changes Spine curvatures can make standing up straight difficult, causing lower right back pain.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The engine throttle angles shown in the animation are approximate and based on electronic signals.—
James Glanz,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The findings appear to undercut recent speculation by online observers who have pored over video of the shootout and saw numerous agents training their weapons on Allen from different angles.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Belichick and several of Brady’s former teammates — including Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Randy Moss and Bledsoe, whom Brady famously replaced as the Patriots’ starting quarterback in 2001 — all had their turns at the podium, as did his former on-field rival Peyton Manning.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
More turns, or back and forth between teacher and child, indicate a child is engaged in the discussion.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The risk level for tornadoes is low and the risk for hail and strong winds is medium, forecasters said.—
Remington Miller,
Arkansas Online,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Monday’s weather features plenty of sun, light winds and some heat.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This waterproof sandal features Chaco’s signature Luvseat contoured footbed, leaving your feet—and those arches—supported for long-wear comfort.—
Lara Kramer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The low-slung seating position, with heels nearly aligned to hips, takes its cue from motorsport, while the driver’s view is framed by prominent wheel arches that seem to sit at chest level.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Standing on a circular base, her long peplos falls in both deep and shallow folds; it was meticulously sculpted by a single artist, rather than a workshop, to appear lifelike with natural depth and contour.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Search in bends and folds of skin in areas such as the scalp, in and around the ears, under arms and behind knees, inside the belly button, around the waistline, and between fingers and toes.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bows. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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