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Definitions

bow

[bou] / baʊ /
NOUN
bent line or shape
Synonyms
STRONG
angle arc arch bend curvature curve flection flexure inclination round turn
WEAK
curvation nod
Antonyms
STRONG
line
WEAK
straighten
NOUN
body movement showing obedience or politeness
Synonyms
STRONG
bob curtsy dip genuflection kowtow
WEAK
nod
NOUN
front of boat
Synonyms
STRONGEST
nose prow
STRONG
beak bowsprit fore forepart head stem
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aft stern
VERB
bend over
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hunch nod
STRONG
arch bob cower crook curtsy curve dip droop duck genuflect incline round stoop
WEAK
do obeisance
Antonyms
STRONG
straighten
VERB
submit, concede
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accept acquiesce bend capitulate comply defer give in kowtow relent succumb surrender yield
STRONG
cave knuckle
WEAK
be servile knuckle under
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conquer decline deny disagree disallow fight oppose refuse reject win
WEAK
defend overpower

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.

A beneficiary might have to bow and scrape like a courtier, or accept treatment as a glorified servant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Sconset, short for Siasconset, faces the Atlantic like the bow of a ship lashed by winter storms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Disney’s official translation of the opening phrase “Nants’ingonyama bagithi Baba” is “All hail the king, we all bow in the presence of the king.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Director Spike Lee, with wife Tonya Lewis Lee, showed his distinctive style with a suit featuring a purple fedora hat and matching bow tie, and a bag made of silver cassettes.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

She replaced her arrow in her quiver and slung her bow over her shoulder, and for a moment Torak thought she was having a change of heart.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver