Cowed and bust after getting a fine (6)
I believe the answer is:
afraid
'cowed' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'bust after getting a fine' is the wordplay.
'bust' becomes 'raid' (synonyms).
'after getting' says to put letters next to each other.
'fine' becomes 'f' (abbreviation).
'a'+'f'='af'
'raid' put after 'af' is 'AFRAID'.
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for afraid that I've seen before include "Scared, apprehensive" , "Feeling anxiety or fear" , "Not confident" , "Nervous" , "with butterflies" .)