cower
Crouch in terror
To cower is to shrink back or crouch in fear, making yourself smaller as if to avoid a blow or threat: The dog cowered in the corner during the thunderstorm.
The posture suggests submission or helplessness.
Figuratively, someone who cowers before authority lacks the courage to stand up to it.
Shake from fear
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- quailFlinch from fear
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
- recoilBackward force from discharge
shrink · wince · blanch · dread · terror · panic · fright · horror
Humble oneself servilely
- crouchLow bent-knee stance
- kneelBend legs to ground
- bowRespectful forward inclination
- prostrateLying fully extended
humble · submissive · servile · obsequious · kowtow · defer · yield · capitulate
tremble
Shake from fear
recoil · shrink · wince · blanch · dread · terror · panic · fright · horror · alarm
huddle
Close protective gathering
duck · squat · shrink · cringe · fetal · ball · curl up · tuck · compress · contract
grovel
Humble oneself servilely
prostrate · humble · submissive · servile · obsequious · kowtow · defer · yield · capitulate · acquiesce
helpless
Unable to act independently
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
- exposedOut in open
unprotected · weak · fragile · small · prey · victim · hiding · shelter · refuge · corner
bully
Habitual intimidator
overpower · dominate · tyrannize · browbeat · daunt · oppress · persecute · victimize · tormentor · abuser
- body movementsflexion, bend, twist, standing, extension
- cowardicecraven, gutless, spineless, yellow, yellow-bellied
- fear reactionsscream, scared, gasp, terrified, flinch
- hidinghide, conceal, take cover, hole up, hunker down
- flinchingflinch, flinching, wince, wincing, recoil
- avoidance wordsavoid, evade, dodge, sidestep, elude
cowerstand tall
Maintain dignity under pressure
puff up · swagger · strut · hold one's head high · tower
cowerconfront
Face squarely, address directly
face · stand one's ground · brave · defy · stand firm
cowerdominate
Control through superior strength
assert oneself · intimidate · boldness · bully · lord over
- holy cowExpression of amazement
- cash cowDependable income source
- cow chipDried cattle feces
- cow's milkLacteal fluid from cattle
- cow townRural livestock community
- have a cowOverreact dramatically to something
cow, coward, cowardly, cowed, cowardice, cowing, cowering, cowers, cowardliness