1. crouched down or moved back in fear
Usage: past tense of ‘cower’

Examples

• The dog cowered under the table during the thunderstorm.
• She cowered in the corner when her father raised his voice.
• The children cowered behind their mother when the stranger approached.
• He cowered at the sight of the angry bull.
• The prisoners cowered as the guards walked by.
• The cat cowered when it heard the vacuum cleaner start.