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.

Bennett argued presciently that by kowtowing to radicals, “a great university was brought low by the very forces which modern universities came into being to oppose: ignorance, irrationality and intimidation.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

Those early signs of kowtowing were bad indicators that the members of Youngstown State University’s faculty union just couldn’t get behind.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2025

"A kowtowing of the East towards the West is not a rising East."

From BBC • May 1, 2025

In short, the agency put forth a rule that addresses the problem head-on without prevaricating or kowtowing to corporate America.

From Slate • Jan. 10, 2023

I don’t know why, but right then it finally dawned on me that Papa had wanted to please Grandpa out of respect and gratitude, not from kowtowing.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns