Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

kowtow

verb

/ˈkaʊtaʊ/

Definition

To act in an excessively subservient manner.

Examples

He refused to kowtow to the pressures of the corporate world.
Many believed she would not kowtow to the political elite.
In traditional cultures, people would kowtow as a sign of respect to their elders.

Meaning

Kowtow refers to the act of showing great respect and submission, often to someone in authority. It can imply bending one’s will to another’s demands or expectations.