cowed

American

[koud] / kaʊd /

adjective

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?

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of cow.

Other Word Forms

uncowed

adjective

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

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.

In seeking the injunction, Bonta’s office argues that Amazon threatens “dire consequences if vendors do not comply. Vendors, cowed by Amazon’s overwhelming bargaining leverage and fearing punishment, comply,” according to the filing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

But he insisted that he would not be cowed by antisemitism.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Meanwhile ordinary people, lacking the specialized knowledge to draw their own conclusions, feel cowed into going along with it all.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Rather than being cowed by the crowd, Newcastle made an aggressive start.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

Jello had been so cowed he was useless.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023