cowardice

noun

cow·ard·ice | \ ˈkau̇(-ə)r-dəs

, dialectal -(ˌ)dīs\

Definition of cowardice

: lack of courage or firmness of purpose soldiers accused of cowardice

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about cowardice

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Examples of cowardice in a Sentence

the cowardice shown by political leaders who were willing to give the Nazis whatever they wanted

Recent Examples on the Web

Or is human behavior in these matters—courage or cowardice, selfishness or sacrifice—an unchangeable basic over the centuries, unaffected by politics or ideology? — Lance Morrow, WSJ, "Did Chivalry Go Down With the Titanic?," 14 Dec. 2018 My family will be suffering the consequences of my cowardice for generations to come. — Joe Queenan, WSJ, "How I Let That $558,000 Bottle of Wine Get Away," 19 Oct. 2018 How about amazing lack of accountability and amazing cowardice? — Anthony Man, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Trump-endorsed Ron DeSantis says he'd have vetoed gun law, removed Sheriff Israel," 10 Apr. 2018 His nose was always twitching for a sniff of cowardice or collusion. — Alan Rusbridger, New York Times, "Seymour M. Hersh — the Journalist as Lone Wolf," 13 June 2018 This is no place for cowardice and nerves have no home here. — Dania Haughton, SI.com, "Diana Taurasi and the Path to Longevity and Legacy," 28 May 2018 The killing of @RisingKashmir editor, Shujaat Bukhari is an act of cowardice. — Mukhtar Ahmad And Swati Gupta, CNN, "Prominent journalist gunned down in Kashmir," 14 June 2018 The cowardice of silence perpetuates injustice and anything that perpetuates evil is, by definition, also evil. — Michael Harriot, The Root, "White People Are Cowards," 19 June 2018 There is no reason for this except cowardice on the part of civilian politicians far from the long strands of barbed wire. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "What's Happening at Gitmo Is a Disgrace," 8 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cowardice.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.