cower

[kou-er]

verb (used without object)

1. to crouch, as in fear or shame.

   Synonyms: quail, flinch, recoil, cringe

cower

/ ˈkaʊə /

verb

1. (intr) to crouch or cringe, as in fear

Other Word Forms

• coweringly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cower¹

1250–1300; Middle English couren; cognate with Norwegian, Swedish kūra, Middle Low German kūren, German kauern

Word History and Origins

Origin of cower¹

C13: from Middle Low German kūren to lie in wait; related to Swedish kura to lie in wait, Danish kure to squat

Example Sentences

Newsrooms, tech companies and TV networks cower before a president bringing his critics to heel with threats of flimsy lawsuits.

Read more on Salon

"For Charlie, we will never shrink, we will never cower, and we will never falter, even when we are staring down the barrel of a gun."

Read more on BBC

Family members seethe, assistants cower and competitors sharpen their claws.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It would be a mistake to think California is cowering in the face of this onslaught,” Newsom said in the 2,300-word address accompanied by a shortened video version.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Perhaps the enduring image of the evening was the sight of the Portuguese "cowering" - as described by BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone - in the dugout during the penalty shootout, unable to watch.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cringe 
• crouch 
• flinch 
• recoil 
• skulk 
• tremble 
• wince