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a craven refusal to deliver the unwelcome news personally
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'craven.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Craven and its synonyms "dastardly" and "pusillanimous" are all basically fancy words for "cowardly." Don't be afraid to use them - here's a little information to help you recognize the subtle distinctions in their connotations. "Craven" suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance. One might speak of "craven yes-men." "Dastardly" often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous, as in this example: "a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians." "Pusillanimous" suggests a contemptible lack of courage (e.g., "After the attack, one editorialist characterized the witnesses as 'the pusillanimous bystanders'").
: having or showing a complete lack of courage : very cowardly
See words that rhyme with craven Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for craven Spanish Central: Translation of craven Nglish: Translation of craven for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of craven for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about craven
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