cower: meaning, pronunciation and examples

/ˈkaʊɚ/·KOW-er

Cower (verb) means to bend down or move back because you are afraid.

What does “cower” mean?

  1. 1

    verbto bend down or move back because you are afraid

    The dog cowered in the corner during the storm.

Cower at a glance

Part of speech
verb
CEFR level
C2 (proficient)
Pronunciation
/ˈkaʊɚ/ · KOW-er

How to use “cower” correctly

Related in meaning to “coward”, though the words have different origins.

Common phrases with “cower”

  • cower in fear
  • cower behind

Synonyms (similar meaning)

  • cringe
  • shrink
  • huddle

“cower” is on these word lists

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