cowardly 1 of 2

cowardly

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective cowardly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cowardly are craven, dastardly, and pusillanimous. While all these words mean "having or showing a lack of courage," cowardly implies a weak or ignoble lack of courage.

a cowardly failure to stand up for principle

When would craven be a good substitute for cowardly?

The synonyms craven and cowardly are sometimes interchangeable, but craven suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance.

secretly despised her own craven yes-men

When is it sensible to use dastardly instead of cowardly?

While in some cases nearly identical to cowardly, dastardly often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous.

a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians

When could pusillanimous be used to replace cowardly?

In some situations, the words pusillanimous and cowardly are roughly equivalent. However, pusillanimous suggests a contemptible lack of courage.

the pusillanimous fear of a future full of possibility

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cowardly
Adjective
Qatar denounces ‘cowardly’ Israeli strike targeting Hamas leaders Israel launched an aerial strike against senior Hamas leaders in Doha on Tuesday, in its first direct attack on Qatari soil, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. semafor.com, 12 Sep. 2025 Who would have ever thought that the image of a man who is on tape cowardly shooting someone in the back would be used to sell clothes. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Adverb
That’s exactly what Charlie’s cowardly assassin did. Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 13 Sep. 2025 Qatar denounces ‘cowardly’ Israeli strike targeting Hamas leaders Israel launched an aerial strike against senior Hamas leaders in Doha on Tuesday, in its first direct attack on Qatari soil, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cowardly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cowardly
Adjective
  • Even with more women 55 and older in the workforce than ever before, women often are afraid to talk about menopause in the office.
    Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Bohemian homes are never afraid of color, particularly when AD100 designer Justina Blakeney is involved.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Missourians have the opportunity to put this craven power grab up for a vote.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
  • There are lots of good rebuttals to this craven move.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Black Rabbit begins in media res, zooming out from a wallpaper full of rabbits — some mid-hop, others staring fearfully into the abyss with wide, dark pools for eyes.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The software’s orders were often obeyed fearfully, unquestioningly.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Continue reading … 'TRYING MY BEST' – Country star 'scared' after anti-Trump song ignites social media firestorm.
    , FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Kids are all scared and all alone.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
Adjective
  • In a year of gutless moves by major media companies, this may be the most gutless.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • 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
  • Hundreds of frightened residents gathered in a grassy field near the fire station and refused to return home hours after the quake struck Bogo in Cebu province.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • So stay calm, control your breathing, don’t be frightened.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Some also have lost lawyers, dismayed by the pusillanimous behavior of their leaders.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Cowardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cowardly. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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