verb to cause someone to submit to one's wishes through intimidation or fear
The dictator cowed the opposition into submission through fear and violence.
The bully's intimidating behavior cowed the other students into silence.
Farmers were cowed into accepting lower prices for their produce.
The protagonist in the novel was cowed by the intimidating presence of the antagonist.
The therapist worked with the patient to overcome the cowed mindset caused by past trauma.
The strict disciplinary measures cowed the students into submission.
The aggressive behavior of the supervisor cowed the employees into compliance.
The opposing counsel's aggressive tactics were designed to cow the witness into changing their testimony.