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

His second confrontation is with an angry, judgmental version of Original Vision who accuses him of cowardice and inaction for denying his identity for so long. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026

Penny, in top form, digs into cowardice, courage, and the importance of remembering, all with wisdom and warmth. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026

Recently, the most exciting thing about Sheeran seemed to be his cowardice. — Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026

Freedom has spent weeks exposing the WNBA’s cowardice on transgender eligibility, demanding the league protect biological women from male competition. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 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