Meaning & use

bow down

phrase·Academic

To bend the body or head forward, especially as a gesture of respect, submission, or worship.

See it in a sentence

The subjects bowed down before the queen as she entered the hall.

He refused to bow down to pressure from his rivals and stood by his decision.

A note on using this word

Often used figuratively to mean submitting to someone's authority or demands, not only the physical gesture itself.

Words with a similar meaning

kneelsubmit

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

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