The phrase "mowed down" typically refers to someone or something being cut down or destroyed by force or aggression. Some antonyms for this term could include words or phrases like nurtured, protected, saved, preserved, or bolstered. Rather than tearing something down or forcefully removing it, these antonyms suggest a focus on maintaining or supporting it. For instance, a firefighter might work to save a burning building rather than letting it be mowed down by the flames. Similarly, a gardener might nurture a young plant in order to help it thrive, rather than allowing it to be mowed down or destroyed by pests.