craven

1 of 2

adjective

cra·​ven ˈkrā-vən 

1

: lacking the least bit of courage : contemptibly fainthearted

… craven mercenaries who would not fight …

—Thomas Fleming

2

archaic : defeated, vanquished

craven noun

cravenly adverb

cravenness

ˈkrā-vən-nəs 

noun

cravenness

2 of 2

noun

cra·​ven·​ness ˈkrā-vən-nəs 

plural -es

: the quality of being craven : feebleness of courage : cowardice

Did you know?

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.'"

Synonyms of craven

Adjective

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

Choose the Right Synonym for craven

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 craven in a Sentence

Adjective

a craven refusal to deliver the unwelcome news personally

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This origin tale of Don Diego Vega, and his masked adventurer/avenger alter ego Zorro, righting wrongs against craven evildoers in early-day California, was adapted into a silent movie hit in 1920. —Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 12 May 2026

It’s populated by craven, cowardly traitors. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026

In a particularly craven twist, this letter enlisted the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause to halt or hinder affinity programming in schools. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026

But to defend books coverage in these craven terms is already to concede too much. —Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English cravant

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for craven

• flavin
• graven
• haven
• maven
• pavan
• raven
• shaven
• engraven
• unshaven
• riboflavin

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Kids Definition

craven

1 of 2 adjective

cra·​ven

ˈkrā-vən

: cowardly

cravenly adverb

cravenness

-vən-(n)əs

noun

craven

2 of 2 noun

: coward