Showing results for "cowed"

• past participle of cow.
• past tense form of cow.

cowed

American  

[kaud] / kaʊd /

adjective

1. frightened by threats, violence, superior strength or ability, etc.; intimidated or overawed.

   No, I’m not worried about going up against the chess champion—what do you take me for, an easily cowed novice?

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of cow.

Other Word Forms

• uncowed
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of cowed

First recorded in 1740–50; cow ² ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective; cow ² ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cowed

Jordan, who escapes relatively unscathed, is at once cowed and traumatized yet committed to vengeance.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

But O’Donnell has refused to be cowed by the president’s bullying for nearly 20 years.

From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026

Tech was the major driver behind the better-than-expected earnings growth in the first quarter of this year, as well as subsequent upward revisions, so it’s little wonder bulls aren’t cowed.

From Barron's ● Jun. 8, 2026

But feminists should not be cowed — and not just because this case, a version of which was already litigated in Carroll’s favor, is likely to crumble in court.

From Salon ● May 29, 2026

If he is cowed, he hides it well, Catelyn thought.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

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Related Words

• anxious
• apprehensive
• discouraged
• distressed
• fearful
• frightened
• horrified
• intimidated
• nervous
• perplexed
• perturbed
• scared
• shocked
• spooked
• startled
• timid

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