coward 1 of 2

noun

ˈkau̇(-ə)rd How to pronounce coward (audio)
Definition of cowardnext
as in craven
a person who shows a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger the soldiers who ran as soon as the first shots were fired were branded as cowards

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coward

2 of 2

adjective

as in cowardly

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of coward
Noun
And, in a way, this coward is the only sane one. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026 At the time, they may have been called cowards, even though their decision requires a certain level of courage. — Brent Lang, Variety, 21 May 2026
Adjective
Whoomp, whoomp bumped the coward heart. — James Arthur, The New York Review of Books, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for coward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coward
  1. craven
  2. cowardly
  3. chicken
  4. gutless
  5. pusillanimous
Noun
  • This measure is a craven, deceptive, regressive, and destructive push to gut local control and services, and hand power to a barely accountable central government in Tallahassee.
    — Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026
  • In 2024, The Onion purchased Infowars, the conspiracy website born of the craven lunatic/Sandy Hook shooting denier Alex Jones.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of craven
Adjective
  • Nikki is critical of the latter, calling it selfish and cowardly.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Or maybe the problem is Cape Fear itself for being too cowardly to commit to the certainty that drove the previous versions of this story.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Definition of cowardly
Noun
  • The first 100 guests will receive a free two-piece chicken-leg and thigh meal — no purchase necessary, only available inside the restaurant.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 22 July 2026
  • In the United States alone, at least 174 million chickens have been killed.
    — Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of chicken
Adjective
  • Trump’s revenge tour also took down five Indiana state senators who had voted against the midterm gerrymandering to which Florida’s gutless Republicans have agreed.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2026
  • Keane called out the Red Wings as gutless for waiting for a home game to exact revenge.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
Definition of gutless
Adjective
  • Some also have lost lawyers, dismayed by the pusillanimous behavior of their leaders.
    — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
  • The second believed the United States could attain comprehensive security through military-technological means and saw diplomacy as a quixotic or pusillanimous enterprise that dishonored and weakened the country.
    — A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of pusillanimous

Browse Nearby Words

cow
coward
cowardice
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Cite this Entry

“Coward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coward. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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