bow to

VERB

acquiesce

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accede cave in comply concur conform give in go along

STRONG

accept accommodate adapt adjust agree allow approve buy consent ditto jibe okay pass reconcile set submit subscribe yield

WEAK

come across come around cry uncle cut a deal give out play ball roll over and play dead say uncle shake on yes

Antonyms

STRONGEST

deny differ oppose refuse reject

STRONG

decline disagree disallow disapprove disarrange disorder dispute dissent dissuade hinder prevent protest resist unfit unsuit veto

WEAK

object

VERB

apologize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

atone confess retract withdraw

STRONG

crawl purge square

WEAK

admit guilt ask forgiveness ask pardon beg pardon clear oneself cop a plea cop out excuse oneself get down on knees give satisfaction make amends make reparations make up for make up with offer compensation offer excuse say one is sorry

Antonyms

WEAK

defy

VERB

give

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allow devote fail go grant hand over lend open

STRONG

bend break cave cede concede contract crumble crumple fall flex fold recede relax relent relinquish retire retreat sag shrink sink slacken surrender weaken

WEAK

fold up give way

Antonyms

STRONGEST

finish hold keep

STRONG

enlarge expand face fight grow increase put together rise strengthen win

WEAK

withhold withstand

VERB

obey

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accept adhere to carry out comply embrace execute heed live by observe surrender

STRONG

accede accord acquiesce agree answer assent concur discharge follow fulfill keep mind perform respond serve submit

WEAK

abide by act upon be loyal to be ruled by do as one says do one's bidding do one's duty do what is expected do what one is told get in line give way hold fast knuckle under play second fiddle take orders toe the line

Antonyms

STRONGEST

decline deny disregard forget ignore leave miss neglect overlook refuse reject

STRONG

argue ask differ disagree disallow disapprove disobey dispute dissent fail object oppose protest question

WEAK

mutiny rebel

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Tehran's delegation in Pakistan, said Tehran would "not bow to any threats", while navy chief Shahram Irani called Trump's blockade "ridiculous".

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Emery will not bow to any external demands to declare Villa are in the title race.

From BBC • Dec. 21, 2025

Then Mr. Zaslav and his board may decide they have little choice except to bow to the terms of the tech mogul and his budding studio mogul son.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

Over “Severance”? I feel like that category has the opportunity to surprise, but I bow to your odds-making track record.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2025

Taking Kim’s cue, Chou and I bow to him and thank him.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung

bow to

Example Sentences

Related Words