kowtowed

[kou-tou]

kowtowed Definition

• 1. to kneel and touch the ground with the forehead in worship or submission as part of Chinese custom
• 2. to show excessive respect or obedience to someone

Using kowtowed: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "kowtowed" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The emperor demanded that all foreign envoys kowtow before him.

• Example

  He kowtowed to his boss to keep his job.

• Example

  She refused to kowtow to the unreasonable demands of her colleagues.

kowtowed Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for kowtowed

• fawn
• submit
• yield
• comply
• grovel

Antonyms for kowtowed

• rebel
• defy
• resist

Phrases with kowtowed

• kowtow to someone's wishes

  to submit to someone's demands or desires

  Example

  He always kowtows to his wife's wishes.

• kowtow to authority

  to show excessive respect or obedience to those in positions of power

  Example

  The citizens were forced to kowtow to the authority of the dictator.

• kowtow to peer pressure

  to give in to the influence of one's peers

  Example

  She felt pressured to kowtow to her friends' opinions, even though she didn't agree with them.

Origins of kowtowed

from Chinese 'kòutóu', meaning 'knock the head'

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Summary: kowtowed in Brief

The verb 'kowtowed' [kou-tou] has two meanings. The first refers to the Chinese custom of kneeling and touching the ground with the forehead in worship or submission. The second meaning is to show excessive respect or obedience to someone. Examples include 'The emperor demanded that all foreign envoys kowtow before him' and 'He kowtowed to his boss to keep his job.' Phrases like 'kowtow to someone's wishes' and 'kowtow to authority' denote submission to demands or those in power.