Cower

To crouch or shrink away in fear or shame; to tremble or huddle in a submissive, often defensive posture. It implies a loss of confidence and a retreat from a perceived threat, whether physical or emotional. The action often suggests vulnerability and a desire to avoid confrontation or potential harm. The individual undergoing this behavior often displays a physical manifestation of fear, such as a hunched back, lowered head, and a timid expression. The underlying feeling is usually a combination of fear and helplessness, where the subject feels unable to directly confront or overcome the source of their anxiety. It is an instinctive reaction to danger or intimidation.

Cower meaning with examples

• As the lion roared, the smaller animals in the savannah were observed to Cower, huddling together for protection and displaying their vulnerability in response to the threat. The raw display of power sent the animals seeking safety in each other's presence.
• Faced with his father’s furious glare, the young boy began to Cower, shrinking back into his chair and lowering his gaze, unable to withstand the intensity of the reprimand he was receiving. His fear was immediate and overwhelming.
• In the dark alley, when the shadowy figure approached, the woman began to Cower, her breath catching in her throat as she instinctively tried to make herself smaller, fearing for her safety and her ability to evade whatever was coming.
• After losing the competition, the defeated athlete chose to Cower, avoiding eye contact with the other competitors and immediately withdrawing from the celebration. It showed he was unable to deal with public failure.
• The terrified civilians continued to Cower in their bomb shelters, waiting for the attack to end, their hearts pounding with a relentless fear, as the echoing explosions grew closer, illustrating their helplessness.