gutless

adjective

gut·​less ˈgət-ləs 

1

: lacking courage : cowardly

2

: lacking significance or vitality

gutlessness noun

Synonyms of gutless

• cowardly
• afraid
• spineless
• craven
• pusillanimous
• scared
• frightened
• yellow
• unheroic
• dastardly
• careful
• timid

Examples of gutless in a Sentence

a gutless attack on a writer who is now deceased and unable to defend herself

Recent Examples on the Web

But this seems a lot more gutless than ruthless. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026

As a result, politicians have been too gutless to tax their biggest donors. — Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Jan. 2026

In a year of gutless moves by major media companies, this may be the most gutless. — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Keane called out the Red Wings as gutless for waiting for a home game to exact revenge. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1