The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word AFRAID
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
F
R
A
I
D
More clues leading to the result AFRAID
- Worried leader's gone missing in RAF attack
- Help to finish a French chicken
- A hand put round brother, cowering?
- Nervous of attack by a force
- Scared of American fellow mounting attack
- Fearful African given assistance
- Regretfully accepting single father needs help
- Scared to help without brother in Italy
- A little female, Sally, becoming panicky
- Frightened of nothing, back on attack
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "cowering" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case cowering = afraid.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does AFRAID mean?
AFRAID adjective- (usually used predicatively, not attributively, be afraid) Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear.
- Regretful, sorry.
- (used with for) Worried about, feeling concern for, fearing for (someone or something).