cowed
Americanadjective
verb
Other Word Forms
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.
But he insisted that he would not be cowed by antisemitism.
From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026
Of course some of us wept and raged when he once again had to flee some bigger monkey that he had clearly annoyed, but while Punch was certainly cowed, he was never broken.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026
The Battle of Isandlwana, fought during the Anglo-Zulu war, is something many Zulus wear like a badge of honour: they fought against a foreign army and won - the foreigners were cowed.
From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026
Powell’s statement Sunday signaled he is refusing to be cowed, which means, for now, interest-rate policy shouldn’t change.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026
Like something a cowed dog might make to avoid being struck, only all too human and familiar.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
