Synonyms of cowardice

cowardice

noun

ˈkau̇(-ə)r-dəs 

as in fearfulness

a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger

the cowardice shown by political leaders who were willing to give the Nazis whatever they wanted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fearfulness
• cowardliness
• pusillanimity
• spinelessness
• gutlessness
• cravenness
• timidity
• weakness
• dastardliness
• diffidence
• cautiousness
• faintheartedness
• timorousness
• poltroonery
• wariness
• carefulness
• bashfulness
• feebleness
• shyness
• softness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• courage
• bravery
• virtue
• heroism
• valor
• fearlessness
• gallantry
• daring
• nerve
• heart
• intrepidity
• boldness
• hardihood
• guts
• stoutness
• audacity
• fortitude
• courageousness
• valiance
• intrepidness
• dauntlessness
• determination
• grit
• backbone
• brazenness
• resolution
• fiber
• gumption
• mettle
• perseverance
• spunk
• greatheartedness
• pluck
• doughtiness
• tenacity
• endurance
• stamina

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cowardice

If the rivalry ends after this season, the narrative will forever be that USC killed it with cowardice. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025

Her mother found her daughter’s cowardice in the face of strangers a secret disgrace, but Constance also had a father who was happy with her and with their time together, and that likely had been her salvation. —Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025

That political cowardice paved the road for something far more brutal. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025

There’s something undeniably cathartic about a figure as successful as Rogen, who co-created the series, speaking out about Hollywood’s creative cowardice. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2025