cower
verb (used without object)
to crouch, as in fear or shame.
cowered
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past participleof cower.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof cower.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
cowerverb (used without object)to crouch, as in fear or shame.
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.
“Others might have cowered or taken time to regroup and figure out what they should do,” said Wald.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 30, 2026
In the second car, Danielle Boyles, 27, a preschool teacher from South Africa, cowered under an abaya.
From New York Times ● May 5, 2023
He briefly cowered, before realizing it was a taped-up black cricket ball that soared up from the ground floor.
From Salon ● Dec. 15, 2022
Lincoln’s time was one of passionate intensity, of loud voices and closed minds, of demagogues who exploited public opinion and conflict-averse officeholders who cowered in fear of it.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 25, 2022
The wandless Malfoy cowered behind a three-legged wardrobe as Hermione charged toward them, hitting Goyle with a Stunning Spell as she came.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
