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 Some of Thomas’s critique appeared to be aimed at weak-willed conservatives, including his fellow-Justices, for being, as Thomas perceives it, too spineless to stand up for the ideals enshrined in the Declaration. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026 Under Homelander’s rule, spineless toadies like The Deep would be the only remaining followers. — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 Republicans in Congress have become spineless sycophants to a president who only sees the beauty of this country in dollar signs. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026 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 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
  • Trump was implying Ukraine was in a weak negotiating position and did not have the military resources to fight against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
    — Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026
  • And some players are turning on the season as seen by them letting the Jaguars tear through weak tackle attempts to the tune of 183 rushing yards and three passing TDs by Trevor Lawrence.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • That was scuttled after the Houthis launched cowardly and deadly attacks on civilian targets in Riyadh and other Saudi Arabian cities.
    — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2026
  • To know that a torture as violent as rape is about to happen ‘upstairs’ and not do ANYTHING ABOUT IT, is sick, cowardly and cold.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of cowardly
Adjective
  • Less than a month after acquiring McCarthy in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings, the Giants are turning to the 23-year-old quarterback to try to lead them to the playoffs in a weakened NFC East.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Most enamel-repair products rely on remineralization, which puts minerals back into weakened enamel using ingredients like fluoride, calcium, phosphate or hydroxyapatite.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakened
Adjective
  • The move makes the Savu three look so gutless and spineless for folding faster than my beloved Washington Commanders before an overtime field goal attempt.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Forget about the networks, the streaming money is just going to continue to get bigger, especially at a time when there are almost as many pay channels as there are gutless members of Congress.
    — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of gutless
Adjective
  • The soft, lightweight layer features ribbed detailing that instantly dresses up classic jeans or trousers.
    — Kaitlin Gates, InStyle, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Its official soft opening took place in December 2021, with a full opening planned for later in 2022 when its restaurant opens.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of soft
Adjective
  • Trump notched some significant wins, like the end of the old asylum system and a suite of progressive tax cuts, which Democrats are afraid to run against.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • On November 1, King Charles was left umbrella-less in a torrential downpour in Antigua and Barbuda—and wasn’t afraid to show his frustration.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • Did my eyes widen, revealing a craven journalist ready to pounce on an exclusive?
    — Jason Sheeler, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026
  • She was especially hurt that some of the people who criticized Cox most harshly, dismissing him as craven and disingenuous, were those who had the closest relationships with him.
    — McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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