Translation guide
To crouch down in fear or shrink away from something threatening.
To bend down and make oneself small because of fear or intimidation.
To cower or shrink back, often physically curling up due to fear or cold.
彼は恐怖で隅に縮こまった。
He cowered in the corner from fear.
To crouch or squat down, often in fear or to hide.
To freeze or cower, often used when someone is paralyzed with fear.
To move back or flinch from something frightening.
To flinch, cower, or shrink back from fear or intimidation.
縮こまる emphasizes shrinking or curling up, while うずくまる focuses on crouching down. Both can be used for cowering, but 縮こまる is more about making oneself small, and うずくまる is about the physical posture of crouching.
子供は大きな犬を見てうずくまった。
The child cowered at the sight of the big dog.
He cowered when he was yelled at.
彼は脅迫に怯まなかった。
He didn't cower from the threat.
To recoil or cower, often in surprise or fear.
彼女は突然の光にたじろいだ。
She cowered at the sudden light.