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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spineless
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
That kind of spineless politics is what people are sick of.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
Played by a sniveling Casey Siemaszko, Billy is spineless and spiteful.
—Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
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
That kind of spineless politics is what people are sick of.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
Played by a sniveling Casey Siemaszko, Billy is spineless and spiteful.
—Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spineless
Adjective
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Defense lawyers contend these cases should never have been brought, with weak evidence that juries consistently reject, prompting legal experts to question the prosecution strategy.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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But some indications suggest that the jobs report could come in weaker than expected.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Political courage is needed, especially from the cowardly, groveling Congress.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
18 Jan. 2026
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Therefore, the cowardly officer could’ve later arrested her or simply disabled the vehicle by shooting out a tire with the same accuracy.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The consumption of raw milk and other unpasteurized dairy products can cause serious health risks and be especially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, according to the Food and Drug Administration.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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The primary concern is costs, according to Bloomberg, along with weakened demand in China.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And all the while, our gutless politicians watch from the sidelines so as to not interfere and risk angering their party.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
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Trump and the gutless GOP Congress may be leading America into World War III.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The team aimed to recreate this kind of dynamic control in a soft, synthetic material using digital design rather than complex biological systems.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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The village range will include a hybrid hoodie combining a soft fleece front with a ripstop nylon back, displaying a tricolor mountain motif, as well as a T-shirt designed as a nod to the Paris Games in 2024 and a recycled polyester sherpa.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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What happens to the funding for buses and light rail when people are afraid to ride them, and no one buys bus tickets?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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Too Much Wall Art Wall art is a great way to make a space feel more complete, but don't be afraid to leave some blank space here and there.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Good intentions run into craven expectations, however, and invariably, the types of terrible choices and consequences that, in Soto’s admirably unsentimental narrative style, wouldn’t be out of place in either a silent-era disaster comedy or a darkly tragic indie.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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So does the craven poor judgment required by any public officials who hire him.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Dec. 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 12 Feb. 2026.
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