cowardly

1 of 2

adverb

cow·​ard·​ly ˈkau̇(-ə)rd-lē 

: in a cowardly manner

cowardly

2 of 2

adjective

: being, resembling, or befitting a coward

a cowardly retreat

cowardliness noun

Synonyms of cowardly

Adjective

• afraid
• craven
• scared
• spineless
• gutless
• frightened
• pusillanimous
• dastardly
• unheroic
• yellow
• careful
• timid

Choose the Right Synonym for cowardly

cowardly, pusillanimous, craven, dastardly 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

pusillanimous suggests a contemptible lack of courage.

the pusillanimous fear of a future full of possibility

craven suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance.

secretly despised her own craven yes-men

dastardly often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous.

a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians

Examples of cowardly in a Sentence

Adjective

He insisted on avoiding a cowardly retreat.

She made a cowardly decision to go along with the group.

a cowardly attack from behind

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Further, the word kliba is not necessarily an affirming term in the Mahabharata since it is used derisively, as almost a slur, by men to ridicule and question the masculinity of other men who act cowardly. — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026

Those too cowardly to look their barista in the eyes before deciding not to give them a tip no longer have to simply hide behind an official Starbucks app. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 23 Apr. 2026

Adjective

When he’s described as cowardly in print by the ever-hovering gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (Sarah Drew, Grey’s Anatomy), Stewart follows his instincts and enlists. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026

That was scuttled after the Houthis launched cowardly and deadly attacks on civilian targets in Riyadh and other Saudi Arabian cities. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1551, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cowardly

adjective

cow·​ard·​ly

ˈkau̇(-ə)rd-lē

1

: lacking courage : disgracefully timid

a cowardly rascal

2

: characteristic of a coward

a cowardly attack from behind

cowardly adverb

cowardliness noun