1
as in weak
lacking strength of will or character
a spineless man who let his wife make all the decisions
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cowardly
having or showing a shameful lack of courage
spineless seamen who trembled at the first roar of the cannon
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spineless
My candidacy is a symbol of the end of the weak-kneed, feckless Republican leadership of Mitch McConnell, and the spineless swamp jellyfish that are in the United States Senate representing the Republicans.
—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Because Republicans in Congress are spineless.
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Callum Sutherland,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Many Democrats, including progressives, said the move was spineless on Schumer’s part.
—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
30 Sep. 2025
Within hours — in what could only be described as a spineless and cowardly move — the network and those broadcasters took the bait and silenced him.
—
Jason Bailey,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Because Republicans in Congress are spineless.
—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Many Democrats, including progressives, said the move was spineless on Schumer’s part.
—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
30 Sep. 2025
Within hours — in what could only be described as a spineless and cowardly move — the network and those broadcasters took the bait and silenced him.
—
Jason Bailey,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spineless
Adjective
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Depressed wages, a weak currency and hyperinflation have continued to make life difficult for ordinary Venezuelans, many of whom struggle to afford basic goods.
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There, the Sox scored on a weak, off-line throw from shallow left fielder José Caballero.
Adjective
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But even the most perfect Constitution can be undone by the wicked with the help of the bought, the stupid, and the cowardly.
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Lindsey Graham is a career, corrupt, cowardly politician.
Adjective
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Listeria is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, or others with weakened immune systems.
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Though minor gastrointestinal discomfort is the most common symptom of exposure, pathogens that may cause only minor sickness in some people may cause serious conditions or death in the very young, old, or those with weakened immune systems.
Adjective
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Trump’s revenge tour also took down five Indiana state senators who had voted against the midterm gerrymandering to which Florida’s gutless Republicans have agreed.
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Keane called out the Red Wings as gutless for waiting for a home game to exact revenge.
Adjective
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Recreational swimming is not permitted, yet anglers fishing for tilapia, largemouth bass and carp are a common sight along the rocky sides of the soft-bottom areas.
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That first bite delivers the crispy outside with a soft chew of rice, followed by the hot dog.
Adjective
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That's the part so many seem afraid to say out loud.
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The people who worked for cooperatives were particularly afraid.
Adjective
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This origin tale of Don Diego Vega, and his masked adventurer/avenger alter ego Zorro, righting wrongs against craven evildoers in early-day California, was adapted into a silent movie hit in 1920.
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It’s populated by craven, cowardly traitors.
Adjective
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Some also have lost lawyers, dismayed by the pusillanimous behavior of their leaders.
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The second believed the United States could attain comprehensive security through military-technological means and saw diplomacy as a quixotic or pusillanimous enterprise that dishonored and weakened the country.
Cite this Entry
“Spineless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spineless. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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