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
1
as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking strength of will or character
the spinelessness that the grown woman has shown in dealing with her overbearing mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fearfulness
a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger
charged the midshipman with sickening spinelessness under fire
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spineless
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Trump and his spineless acolytes continue to lie to the American people.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
Make no mistake: New York's seniors are paying the price for Lawler's weak and spineless leadership.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Duplass’ Michael is a dud, sorta sweet but totally spineless.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Adjective
Even some spineless Republicans in Congress—who should be carrying President Trump's flag—are trembling instead of cheering his fight for America's soul.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Trump and his spineless acolytes continue to lie to the American people.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
Make no mistake: New York's seniors are paying the price for Lawler's weak and spineless leadership.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Duplass’ Michael is a dud, sorta sweet but totally spineless.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spineless
Adjective
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And, in the long run, economists say that will translate to a weaker economy and a lower standard of living.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
-
Thanks to a weak front sliding across Central Florida, Thursday will be a bit cooler than prior days.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Those who resort to violence to undermine our state and nation must be held accountable, and our state leaders must reinforce through decisive action that these cowardly attacks will not be tolerated.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2025
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The cowardly capitulation of Paul Weiss and Skadden Arps are negative examples to be learned from.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While the dollar strengthened for the second day on Wednesday, Jefferies thinks the greenback could be in for an extended period of weakness.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
28 May 2025
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One weakness in Capture One's utility as a workflow solution has been its lack of sharing to established online photo venues, but there's a ray of light on this count.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Two baseballs flew down toward the San Diego Padres’ Jurickson Profar from the left-field corner stands, the gutless moves of two cowards.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Oct. 2024
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And the really jaw-dropping part of AMLO’s gutless abdication?—
Tim Padgett,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Aug. 2024
Noun
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There’s something undeniably cathartic about a figure as successful as Rogen, who co-created the series, speaking out about Hollywood’s creative cowardice.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa characterized the flight of Afrikaners from his country as an act of cowardice.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Since then, only a few structural modifications and modern changes have been made—wood-burning stoves were replaced by propane heaters, and horses and mules were swapped for llamas (their feet are softer and less damaging to the ground).—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
21 May 2025
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Some reactions might be softer and less pronounced, while others could be obsessive and overwhelming.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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Moreover, Rocket has a relatively new CEO who wants to dominate the mortgage industry and is not afraid of technology, previously working at Intuit, PayPal, Groupon and Microsoft.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
24 May 2025
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The youngest cast member at the time, Williams set the tone for the raw emotion the show was not afraid to show over the years.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
24 May 2025
Noun
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Reid’s statement was striking for its sheer pusillanimity.—
Adam S. Posen,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Dec. 2015
-
What a profile in pusillanimity.—
The Editorial Board,
WSJ,
23 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Spineless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spineless. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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