cower
/ˈkaʊər/
verb
- To crouch down or move back in fear, often with the body lowered and limbs close to the body.
- The puppy cowered under the table during the thunderstorm.
- He cowered in the corner when the bully approached.
- The soldiers cowered as the bombs exploded nearby.
- To behave in a timid, submissive, or defeated way, not necessarily physically crouching.
- She cowered before her boss's harsh criticism.
- The team cowered after losing their star player to injury.
- He cowered at the thought of public speaking.