Synonyms for cow
- verb
- noun
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Verb
1. Intimidate
intimidate, bully, frighten, daunt, scare, menace, strong-arm, hector, dishearten, abash, discourage, domineer, bulldoze slang dated US
Noun
1. Beef — A woman considered unpleasant in some way, particularly one considered nasty, stupid, fat, lazy, or difficult
Definitions
- v. 1
To intimidate; to daunt the spirits or courage of.
Con artists are not cowed by the law.
- n. 1
A woman considered unpleasant in some way, particularly one considered nasty, stupid, fat, lazy, or difficult.
Choose the right word
To browbeat or cow is to bring into a state of submissive fear; to daunt is to give pause or check to a violent, threatening, or even a brave spirit.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- daunt The prospect was almost enough to daunt her.
- domineer He tried unsuccessfully to domineer over his office workers.
- abash The titter that rippled around the room appeared to abash the boy.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| cow | steady | |
| daunt | steady | |
| dishearten | steady | |
| domineer | steady | |
| abash | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- sow1
- 4 letters
- beef1, neat1
- 5 letters
- bitch1, devil2, scare1, bully2, daunt1, abash2, hucow
- 6 letters
- hector2, menace2, bugger2, bovine2
- 7 letters
- buffalo3, bastard2
- 8 letters
- maverick3, frighten2, bulldoze2, domineer3
- 9 letters
- dolphinet
- 10 letters
- discourage3, intimidate4, dishearten
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (devil2 = 2 syllables).