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
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
Within hours — in what could only be described as a spineless and cowardly move — the network and those broadcasters took the bait and silenced him.
—Jason Bailey, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
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
Within hours — in what could only be described as a spineless and cowardly move — the network and those broadcasters took the bait and silenced him.
—Jason Bailey, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spineless
Adjective
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But lingering high ticket prices combined with weaker teams might mean sparse attendance.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
-
Tokyo wants to appear to be fighting a weak yen, while welcoming it in private.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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Lindsey Graham is a career, corrupt, cowardly politician.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
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This caused a great clamor of approval, and a modicum of tepid ooh-la-la disapproval by the folks who actually approved but who were too cowardly to say so, back in the day.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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Treatment wiped out the cancer, but Lucy's weakened body had another ailment, one that stopped her from making stem cells, blood or platelets.—
Siafa Lewis,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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Children, people older than 65 and those with weakened immune systems can develop severe infections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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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
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Keane called out the Red Wings as gutless for waiting for a home game to exact revenge.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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But so do bursts of color, softer fabrics and strange patterns.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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Puff sleeves, a scalloped hem, lace trim, and eyelet detailing give this top a soft, feminine edge.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
There is no reason to be afraid.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
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One woman intended to use the time to order electrolytes online, another was seeking earring backs, and a third needed to find a male babysitter, as well as a summer swim program, for a four-and-a-half-year-old who is afraid of the water.—
Patricia Marx,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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This origin tale of Don Diego Vega, and his masked adventurer/avenger alter ego Zorro, righting wrongs against craven evildoers in early-day California, was adapted into a silent movie hit in 1920.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
12 May 2026
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It’s populated by craven, cowardly traitors.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
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 22 Jun. 2026.
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