as in to intimidate
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats
a sharp glare cowed the child into being quiet
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Recent Examples of cow
My hunch is that many who in private criticize Israel or America’s support for Israel never say a word in public, cowed into silence by the sword of Damocles hanging over them — the omnipresent threat of charges of antisemitism.
—
Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
In each of these instances, Trump wants power and the majority Republicans in Congress have been too cowed to resist him.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
Schools and universities are being threatened and cowed into submission.
—For The Carroll County Times, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2025
The set’s background changed to a gaudy gold, Stewart played the role of an obsequious and cowed host who is terrified of saying the wrong thing on air (not entirely unlike how his former TDS colleague Stephen Colbert would play a right-wing character on the show).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for cow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cow
Verb
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Benson and other officials have expressed concern that the data could be misused to suppress voting or intimidate voters.—
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Though murder is the most severe metric, the deaths-only data approach entirely excludes acts of arson, assault, and vandalism, all typical tactics of leftist antifascist militants used to intimidate political opponents and pave the way for a revolution.—
Verb
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While a parent will likely need to call administrators if a child is bullied in elementary school, exploring resilience can help teens.—
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The volumes are introduced by Robinson, who reflects on his experiences being homeless and bullied as a child.—
Verb
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There are liberals in media, but the corporations are now either controlled by the right wing or frightened of it.—
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Notwithstanding the endless parade of ghosts, demons, serial killers and at least one Mothman, Haunted Hotel is mostly not trying to frighten you.—
Verb
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Rats, also dislike the acidic odor in vinegar, and ammonia smells similar to predator urine, which can scare them away.—
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Kimmel suspension should scare you Who will be a guest on Jimmy Kimmel's first show back?—
Verb
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Jason Bateman shines in the scene with the Diamond District connect, fast-talking and badgering this guy within an inch of his life until Mancuso and Babbitt show up to take him out.—
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Impatient investors have been badgering the company for several years to cash in some of its more valuable assets.—
Verb
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It should be noted, though, that the power comes on in a rush that might startle your passengers.—
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In this episode, after Kirsch points out that the eyeball/sheep-thing intentionally startled and trapped Isaac — and not for its own benefit, but to assist another alien — Kavalier decides to have a conversation with the beast, starting by asking it to recite the digits of pi.—
Cite this Entry
“Cow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cow. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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