as in intimidated
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as in bullied
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats
a sharp glare cowed the child into being quiet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cowed
Stephen Conroy, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
The President, this faction argued, was too cowed by hawkish interventionists like Mark Levin, a neoconservative commentator.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Bruce Springsteen was standing up to the president, while universities and law firms were being cudgeled and cowed.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2026
On the admin end, colleges have been lately cowed by new regulations at the Department of Education.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
We cannot be cowed into quiescence.
—Brian Kolp, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
School curriculums were sanitized; the press was cowed.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
Glaser herself appeared somewhat cowed by her own brazenness — which turned out to be the setup for another bit.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
The senator and Navy veteran isn’t likely to be cowed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s lawless attempt to silence him by seeking to demote him post-retirement.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
The Kid Line of Marat Khusnutdinov, Fraser Minten and James Hagens drew raves from Sturm in the first two games up in Buffalo for its details and refusal to be cowed by the hostile environment in Buffalo.
—Stephen Conroy, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
The President, this faction argued, was too cowed by hawkish interventionists like Mark Levin, a neoconservative commentator.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Bruce Springsteen was standing up to the president, while universities and law firms were being cudgeled and cowed.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2026
On the admin end, colleges have been lately cowed by new regulations at the Department of Education.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
We cannot be cowed into quiescence.
—Brian Kolp, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
School curriculums were sanitized; the press was cowed.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
Glaser herself appeared somewhat cowed by her own brazenness — which turned out to be the setup for another bit.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
The senator and Navy veteran isn’t likely to be cowed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s lawless attempt to silence him by seeking to demote him post-retirement.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cowed
Adjective
-
Many people feel too intimidated to join a facility where other exercisers can see them.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
These agents monitored and sometimes obstructed care to protesters, intimidated staff, seized protesters and took away the dead in body bags.—
Sarah El Deeb,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Boerkircher, playing at Nebraska, bullied Hunter for more than 15 yards before Hunter ripped off his helmet.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Lewis had previously bullied King and took advantage of his kind nature and limited mental capabilities, King’s relatives wrote in a GoFundMe post.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Audiences who endured the Miramax era have been browbeaten to believe that the best picture Oscar should go to a period piece that chokes out a sob from audiences.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Not to the extent that the user is necessarily being browbeaten.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lee Cronin was both flattered and frightened when Jason Blum suggested titling his The Mummy reimagining as Lee Cronin’s The Mummy.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
-
When to see a doctor Ashamalla stressed that people shouldn’t be frightened by every ache or pain.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Al-Mousawi, of the historically oppressed Shia Muslim faith, was previously detained and had served about 11 years as a political prisoner following arrests across the region in the wake of the Arab Spring, said Alwadaei of BIRD.—
Jane Lytvynenko,
NBC news,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Dahl had no record of support for other minority, oppressed or marginalized group.—
Alan M. Dershowitz,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The ingredient list is simple, but don't even think about skipping the crushed ice and the classic silver julep cup.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Flavor the tangy, no-bake filling with crushed pineapple, sweetened coconut flakes, and a splash of rum.—
Jenavieve Christensen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Setting expectations for a downtrodden player’s next season isn’t always easy, even when there’s an explanation for the statistical dropoff.—
Al Melchior,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Wonder if there's a former Alabama defensive coach looking to be a coordinator for a downtrodden NFC East franchise.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cowed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cowed. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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