GUTLESS Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

gutless

adjective

ˈgət-ləs

Definition of gutless

as in cowardly

having or showing a shameful lack of courage a gutless attack on a writer who is now deceased and unable to defend herself

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 gutless The result leaves nearly every performer fumbling for traction in Serkis and Stoller’s muddy-yet-gutless cinematic sty. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026 And all the while, our gutless politicians watch from the sidelines so as to not interfere and risk angering their party. — Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 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 See All Example Sentences for gutless

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gutless

Adjective

In the case stood the cowardly lion's costume from the original film The Wizard of Oz from 1938.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 22 Sep. 2026
The cowardly, devious Turgeniev has assimilated to the comforts of the West —that alone is enough for Fyodor to detest him.

— Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of cowardly

Adjective

Some school teachers aren't afraid to reference the meme in class.

— Owen Carry, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
In this age of unremitting test screenings and CinemaScore, downer endings typically score lower, so Abrams appreciates that Cregger and Sony weren’t afraid to figuratively twist the knife in the audience.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of afraid

Adjective

Trump does not ask, but demands, and these spineless Republicans fall on their knees and yield to his wishes.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
And now the nation will probably never get back to normal because a spineless GOP can never admit that it’s been conned.

— Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 22 May 2026

Definition of spineless

Adjective

Did my eyes widen, revealing a craven journalist ready to pounce on an exclusive?

— Jason Sheeler, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026
She was especially hurt that some of the people who criticized Cox most harshly, dismissing him as craven and disingenuous, were those who had the closest relationships with him.

— McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of craven

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

Definition of pusillanimous

Adjective

Nations are sustained not just by declarations and famous generals, but by less celebrated moments when frightened, exhausted people decide not to give up.

— Harry Ostrer, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026
Also at top of mind was the film’s sound design, which is deliberately used as another tool to make the audience feel frightened and uncomfortable.

— William Earl, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of frightened

Adjective

Signet Jewelers said diamond tennis bracelets, tennis necklaces, studs, and yellow gold are resonating with Gen Z shoppers entering the category, including men.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
Clooney complemented her bright yellow dress with a stack of dark brown, yellow, and black bangle bracelets, gold earrings, metallic gold leather wedge heels, and her signature oversized black sunglasses.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of yellow

Browse Nearby Words

gut it out

gutless

gutlessness

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“Gutless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gutless. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of gutless

adjective

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