cowardice

noun

cow·​ard·​ice ˈkau̇(-ə)r-dəs 

dialectal -(ˌ)dīs

: lack of courage or firmness of purpose

soldiers accused of cowardice

Synonyms of cowardice

• fearfulness
• cowardliness
• pusillanimity
• spinelessness
• gutlessness

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

Leadership cowardice blocks our connection to that top level — the why. — Big Think, 4 May 2026

Tilting Iron), but also acts of cowardice, or worse, by those who supported the Vichy regime. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026

By all accounts, being a milquetoast is a sort of vice—cowardice masquerading as prudence. — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

When someone has lower income, more demands on that income, and less room for error, taking less financial risk is not cowardice. — Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cowardise, from Anglo-French coardise, from cuard — see coward

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cowardice

noun

cow·​ard·​ice ˈkau̇(-ə)rd-əs 

: lack of courage to face danger : shameful fear