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Antonyms for kowtow

Grammar : Verb
Spell : kou-tou, -tou, koh-
Phonetic Transcription : ˈkaʊˈtaʊ, -ˌtaʊ, ˈkoʊ-

Definition of kowtow

Origin :
  • also kow-tow, 1804, from Chinese k'o-t'ou custom of touching the ground with the forehead to show respect or submission, literally "knock the head," from k'o "knock, bump" + t'ou "head." The verb in the figurative sense of "act in an obsequious manner" is from 1826. Related: Kowtowed; kowtowing.
  • verb grovel
Example sentences :
  • And yet he did not move—he made no movement save to kowtow for mercy with his head.
  • Extract from : « Wang the Ninth » by Putnam Weale
  • No matter how servile he may be at home, everyone will kowtow to him abroad.
  • Extract from : « Villa Elsa » by Stuart Henry
  • Li stood there behind her and made a sign to us to kowtow to her.
  • Extract from : « Two Years in the Forbidden City » by The Princess Der Ling
  • We had to kowtow again in thanking Her Majesty for her kindness and finally she said: "Nemen tzowba" (you can go now).
  • Extract from : « Two Years in the Forbidden City » by The Princess Der Ling
  • I think it is perfectly frightful the way we bow down and kowtow to your beast—the great god Cash!
  • Extract from : « Pirates' Hope » by Francis Lynde
  • Want nothing better than to curtsy and kowtow when I flung out a gracious order?
  • Extract from : « Queed » by Henry Sydnor Harrison
  • It shows what a nice disposition you have, to come to me to-day, after the way my nephew made me kowtow to you yesterday.
  • Extract from : « Mrs. Darrell » by Foxcroft Davis
  • After a great deal of kowtow, they were planted in two chairs opposite each other in the living-room.
  • Extract from : « The Monster and Other Stories » by Stephen Crane
  • As he declined to kowtow before the emperor, he was not admitted to the imperial presence and the mission proved 199 abortive.
  • Extract from : « Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 2 » by Various
  • To the emperor, the “kowtow” is performed by kneeling three times, each act accompanied by touching the ground with the forehead.
  • Extract from : « Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 8 » by Various

Synonyms for kowtow

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019