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

The most despicable was the cowardice of ICE officers who hide their faces. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025

Because of Denise Gough's human frailty as a woman destroyed by her own ambition and Kyle Soller's cowardice in the face of a horrible truth. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 July 2025

Reid rewarded that display of cowardice by deploying the nuclear option a few months later. —Erick Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025

If McCain’s moment was about cementing legacy, Murkowski’s was about cowardice. —Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025