as in craven
a person who shows a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger
the soldiers who ran as soon as the first shots were fired were branded as cowards
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as in cowardly
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of coward
John Roy, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
So this coward had to fire from outside of the church, through the church windows and into the church.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
According to Boxing called Davis a coward for his decision.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
But Democrats look like cowards for fleeing the state.
—Nicole Russell, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coward
Noun
The crowd applauds for 13 seconds both at the intense, almost Chris Farley–esque yell itself and the absurdity of Maron’s desire to be a manly coward.
—John Roy, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
So this coward had to fire from outside of the church, through the church windows and into the church.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
According to Boxing called Davis a coward for his decision.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
But Democrats look like cowards for fleeing the state.
—Nicole Russell, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coward
Noun
-
Obi-Wan, the craven victor, revealing his true self.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
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Missourians have the opportunity to put this craven power grab up for a vote.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Shmi, who died for nothing, the cowardly Jedi refusing to free her, refusing to interfere.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
-
My cowardly stread ended today, however.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
One commenter even mentioned the flavor reminded them of chicken bouillon, in a good way.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
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At lunch, they’re stuffed with ham, tuna, chicken or cheese for a take-out baguette sandwich.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In a year of gutless moves by major media companies, this may be the most gutless.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Listen, by doing it this way, with a press release instead of a press conference, Rose looks both gutless and gutty at the same time.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Some also have lost lawyers, dismayed by the pusillanimous behavior of their leaders.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
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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.—
A. Wess Mitchell,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coward. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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