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
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Recent Examples of spineless
Rather than feigned civility or spineless compromise, a strong response to this prompt will show that a student has integrity and conviction, but is willing to grow and interrogate their ideas through engagement with others.
—
Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Today’s Republican Party is a bunch of weak, spineless cowards who cower in obedient terror at Trump’s feet.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2025
An erect, sprawling, and spineless cactus, the flowers are white, fragrant, and measure 12 inches long and 8 inches wide.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 June 2025
This is because her spineless boyfriend was with her on that bus and plane and sat 2 rows away.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Today’s Republican Party is a bunch of weak, spineless cowards who cower in obedient terror at Trump’s feet.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2025
An erect, sprawling, and spineless cactus, the flowers are white, fragrant, and measure 12 inches long and 8 inches wide.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 June 2025
This is because her spineless boyfriend was with her on that bus and plane and sat 2 rows away.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spineless
Adjective
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Nobody can say that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a weak team.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
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Akin to two boxers with weak chins slugging it out, Villa wanted to land another blow.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In practice, despite his rhetoric, Israel’s longest serving prime minister’s security policy was widely seen as cautious and relatively restrained, even derided as cowardly by political rivals, who also mocked his inability to make decisive moves.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
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Violence in a place of worship is a cowardly and criminal act.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Basil Pesto Bowtie Salad and Smoked Mozzarella Penne Salad may be contaminated by bacteria listeria monocytogenes, which can cause fatal infections in children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, according to a news release from Kroger.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Oct. 2025
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Listeria infection, or listeriosis, is most likely to sicken pregnant people and newborns, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In a year of gutless moves by major media companies, this may be the most gutless.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Listen, by doing it this way, with a press release instead of a press conference, Rose looks both gutless and gutty at the same time.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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As a result, when animals died and sank, their soft tissues were occasionally preserved instead of being consumed or decaying.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Sep. 2025
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Hamilton Chaise Sectional Sofa Made from a soft polyester blend, this couch has deep seats designed for ultimate relaxation.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Taylor Swift knows what excellence requires and is not afraid to demand it.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
29 Sep. 2025
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Don’t be afraid to use your gut instinct.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There are lots of good rebuttals to this craven move.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott is under severe pressure from President Donald Trump to restart one of the most craven and self-destructive practices of American politics in the 21st century: predatory gerrymandering.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Some also have lost lawyers, dismayed by the pusillanimous behavior of their leaders.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Spineless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spineless. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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