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
Related article Far from being cowed by US airstrikes, Yemen’s Houthis may be relishing them
The US says its campaign is working.
—
Kareem El Damanhoury, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
The danger of a press cowed into submission and afraid to report the truth.
—arkansasonline.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Trump has elevated media outlets that openly support him and cowed others with lawsuits, threats and obstruction of access.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 12 Mar. 2025
Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party have cowed their liberal opponents, co-opted most of the Turkish press, purged and restaffed the Turkish military—with special zeal after crushing a 2016 coup attempt—and revamped Turkey’s intelligence service.
—Reuel Marc Gerecht, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cow
Kareem El Damanhoury, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
The danger of a press cowed into submission and afraid to report the truth.
—arkansasonline.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Trump has elevated media outlets that openly support him and cowed others with lawsuits, threats and obstruction of access.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 12 Mar. 2025
Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party have cowed their liberal opponents, co-opted most of the Turkish press, purged and restaffed the Turkish military—with special zeal after crushing a 2016 coup attempt—and revamped Turkey’s intelligence service.
—Reuel Marc Gerecht, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cow
Verb
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Swatting is the criminal practice of calling law enforcement, particularly Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, to someone's house in order to harass or intimidate them.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
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As intimidating as the private equity process may be for franchisors, the jargon and statistics that are a part of everyday franchise life are just as opaque to investors.—
Patrick Galleher,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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After Daniel is bullied by his classmates, he is encouraged to take karate lessons to defend himself.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
1 June 2025
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For Essiedu’s Snape, his story eventually leads to the revelation that he was relentlessly bullied by James Potter back in the ‘70s, hung upside down with magic at one point, and pining after Lily, James’ eventual wife.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
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On May 18, Palmer and the cast attended the Shadyside High Senior Prom ’88 experience as guests explored versions of the gymnasium, lockers, girls’ bathroom and more locations designed to frighten fans.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
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What to know The Astra channel said that Tokarev, head of the military medical commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Sevastopol, got frightened during an air raid alarm overnight on May 1 sparked by a Ukrainian drone barrage.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Commissioners debate impact fees Several commissioners expressed concerns that a sharp hike in impact fees could scare away businesses from building in Manatee County, from day care centers to manufacturing.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
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Apparently, the card's $5 million price tag is not scaring off the jet-setters looking to make the U.S. home.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Trump appointed Powell in 2017 and has been badgering the Fed chair from the start.—
Dan Alexander,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Speed isn’t Thomas’ game, but badgering receivers into submission until the QB decides to stop looking their way works just as well.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The device startles seals hanging around salmon run obstacles and drives them away from the buffet.—
Cheryl Katz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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The trailer opens with Kate (Moore) startled by the sudden appearance of her troubled daughter Claire (Sweeney) on her doorstep covered in rain and blood.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cow. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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