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
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Recent Examples of cowardice
Esther’s concealment is not cowardice.
—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
This ethic has been especially true in the renowned Sports section, which was killed in a Zoom announcement notable for its belly-wriggling cowardice and self-owning incompetence.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
That’s not conservation, that’s cowardice.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 3 Feb. 2026
However, accusing the United Kingdom of cowardice is a bridge too far.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cowardice
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
This ethic has been especially true in the renowned Sports section, which was killed in a Zoom announcement notable for its belly-wriggling cowardice and self-owning incompetence.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
That’s not conservation, that’s cowardice.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 3 Feb. 2026
However, accusing the United Kingdom of cowardice is a bridge too far.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cowardice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cowardice
Noun
-
Given the President’s long-standing support for corporate tax cuts and deregulation of industry, this pusillanimity is perhaps not so surprising.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Our logrolling, our stumps and their politics, our fisheries, our Negroes and Indians, our boasts and our repudiations, the wrath of rogues and the pusillanimity of honest men, the northern trade, the southern planting, the western clearing, Oregon, and Texas, are yet unsung.—
Mark Edmundson,
Harper’s Magazine ,
12 Dec. 2022
Noun
-
Some protesters are there to boo and shame Benitez for her spinelessness.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
14 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cowardice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cowardice. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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