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
  • But despite growing international demand for Chinese goods, domestic consumption remains a critical weak spot in the nation’s economic development.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The stock plunged 25% for its worst day on record after issuing weak preliminary results for the second quarter.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • 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
  • But even the most perfect Constitution can be undone by the wicked with the help of the bought, the stupid, and the cowardly.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of cowardly
Adjective
  • Serratia marcescens can occasionally cause infections in people with weakened immune systems or those who are hospitalized.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
  • Doctors are also more likely to order the test for those at higher risk of complications from their infection, including very young babies and children, and people with weakened immune systems.
    — Alice Park, Time, 8 July 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
  • Smaller nonprofit efforts — often faith-based — can also offer a soft landing place, but few exist.
    — Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Most accounts read Qatar's rise as gas turned into money, turned into visibility, a soft-power story with expensive props.
    — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of soft
Adjective
  • Sometimes in big matches, being afraid of taking a risk is the riskiest strategy of all.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Pay attention to the wash and cut, and don’t be afraid to ditch your plain blue jeans for bolder alternatives.
    — India Roby, Glamour, 15 July 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spineless

Nglish: Translation of spineless for Spanish Speakers

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