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kowtow

[kou-tou, -tou, koh-] / ˈkaʊˈtaʊ, -ˌtaʊ, ˈkoʊ- /


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.

For that reason, Iran’s officers may feel no compulsion to kowtow to Beijing.

From Slate • May 7, 2026

Mighty Miranda must kowtow to the luxury brands and their ambassadors, whose sponsorship keeps Runway strutting, including the once-harried and humiliated Emily, who is now an executive at Dior.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Smaller domestic military budgets also reduce the need for companies to kowtow to politicians by maintaining unprofitable operations in their districts or supporting civilian projects.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Tributary states sent semi-regular missions to the Chinese imperial court to acknowledge the superiority of the Chinese emperor and perform rituals of submission, known as the kowtow.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2021

The entitlement that came with being one of the silk feathered hats—that all the groundlings were there simply to kowtow to your every need.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon




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