Cower

Quick meaning: Cower is a verb meaning (intransitive) To crouch or cringe, or to avoid or shy away from something, in fear.

Meaning

(intransitive) To crouch or cringe, or to avoid or shy away from something, in fear.

More Meanings

1. (intransitive, archaic) To crouch in general.
2. (transitive) To cause to cower; to frighten into submission.
3. (intransitive, figuratively) To be a coward; to hide away or refuse to face opposition due to fear.
4. (obsolete, transitive) To cherish with care.

Example Sentences

Our dame sits cowering o'er a kitchen fire.

A vicious Mafia threat intended to cower him—but the chief doesn't cower.

My spirit will cower them and make them wish they had never risen up against me.

Some sterner virtues o’er the mountain’s breast May sit, like falcons, cowering on the nest

Word Forms

• cowers
• cowering
• cowered

Synonyms for cower

Depending on context, synonyms include creep, cringe, grovel, huddle, crawl.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include cringe, creep, crawl, grovel, huddle, quail.

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