Thomas Fleming
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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, as in "After the attack, one editorialist characterized the witnesses as 'the pusillanimous bystanders.'"
Examples of craven in a Sentence
Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
Unlike the Founders who risked their lives, this bunch, with precious few exceptions, is too craven to risk even their jobs.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025
Put simply, Johnson is the more coveted commodity on a craven reliever market at the trade deadline.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
While health care and food assistance command the most attention, the craven assault on clean energy cannot be minimized.
—Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for craven
Cite this Entry
“Craven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/craven. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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