spineless

adjective

ˈspīn-ləs How to pronounce spineless (audio)
Definition of spinelessnext
1
as in weak
lacking strength of will or character a spineless man who let his wife make all the decisions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cowardly
having or showing a shameful lack of courage spineless seamen who trembled at the first roar of the cannon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 spineless He must be impeached, but with a spineless Congress and a corrupt Supreme Court how this will happen is in grave doubt. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026 My candidacy is a symbol of the end of the weak-kneed, feckless Republican leadership of Mitch McConnell, and the spineless swamp jellyfish that are in the United States Senate representing the Republicans. — Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 Because Republicans in Congress are spineless. — Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 Oct. 2025 Many Democrats, including progressives, said the move was spineless on Schumer’s part. — Julia Manchester, The Hill, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spineless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spineless
  1. weak
  2. cowardly
  3. weakened
  4. gutless
  5. soft
  6. afraid
  7. craven
  8. pusillanimous
Adjective
  • Many forex brokers respond to weak rankings by publishing more market guides, adding country pages and building links.
    — David Ispiryan, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Slow money growth means weak nominal growth and low inflation, which in turn keeps interest rates and bond yields depressed—and the yen weak.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • The trans actor Elliot Page plays Sinon, a poor boy from Ithaca who is brave enough to travel with Odysseus in place of the cowardly aristocrat Antinous, played by Robert Pattinson.
    — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
  • Weiss, Maher says, told him her internal critics are too cowardly to say anything to her face.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 23 July 2026
Definition of cowardly
Adjective
  • Salmonella infections can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps and can be particularly severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Doctors say severe cases are seen more often in elderly patients, people with weakened immune systems, and those with liver disease, diabetes and certain chronic illnesses.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakened
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
  • Quilt sets are oversized, reversible and buttery soft, made from the same smart fabric as the favorite sheets with a 100% inner cotton lining, recently named a Good Housekeeping favorite.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Expect a calm palette of neutrals and soft blues, metallic accents, and plenty of natural light, with views either west toward the mountains and desert or north up the Strip.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of soft
Adjective
  • So my encouragement to young Latino artists out there is to keep creating and don’t be afraid of creating.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Not afraid of breaking tradition, Morgan and Jezzel decided to find their wedding gowns together and made eight salon visits in two weeks.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • Not an inspiration for craven pundits and politicians to use players as divisive avatars.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 2 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
  • 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

spine-chilling
spineless
spinelessly
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Cite this Entry

“Spineless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spineless. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of spineless for Spanish Speakers

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