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
Moná Thomas, People.com, 27 May 2025
Matt and his direct reports quickly reveal themselves to be spineless, self-important, thin-skinned, and out of touch.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
Maybe, when seeing these mass rallies, spineless congressional Republicans might fear for their jobs more from the people than the dictator-in-chief.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
Some great options include small palms, hardy banana, cannas, hibiscus, spineless succulents, bedding flowers, and grasses.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Adjective
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
Matt and his direct reports quickly reveal themselves to be spineless, self-important, thin-skinned, and out of touch.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
Maybe, when seeing these mass rallies, spineless congressional Republicans might fear for their jobs more from the people than the dictator-in-chief.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
Some great options include small palms, hardy banana, cannas, hibiscus, spineless succulents, bedding flowers, and grasses.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spineless
Adjective
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And if tariffs only cause a one-time jump in prices, weaker purchasing power could slow the economy.—
Raul Elizalde,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Despite these efforts, economic conditions and weak demand for domestic leisure travel pose challenges.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And unlike the cowardly ambiguity and doubletalk toward Iran and its nuclear program in the past by Barack Obama, John Kerry, Joe Biden and Antony Blinken, Trump was clear as a bell.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
4 July 2025
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Those cowardly films ignore the ideological confusion and moral bankruptcy that precede political and creative failure.—
Armond White,
National Review,
4 July 2025
Noun
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Kindness may sound like a luxury in today’s high-takes, deliver-faster, do more with less, margin-tighter world—or worse, weakness.—
Jason Walker PsyD,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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History shows, however, that strengths can become weaknesses over time, and that is the most dangerous threat looming over these titans.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Noun
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Despite cowardice and corruption, here are the year’s best movies so far.—
Armond White,
National Review,
9 July 2025
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Acts of resistance can be highly contagious, just as cowardice can be contagious.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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The latter gets rid of flaky skin, while the balm keeps them soft.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Another classic silhouette, Arhaus’s blend of jute and cotton makes this rug feel slightly softer underfoot.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Make sure to water regularly, especially in warmer months, and don’t be afraid to switch out plants seasonally to keep your containers fresh.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Aug. 2025
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Don’t be afraid to give your rooms multiple purposes Take advantage of the various nooks and crannies in your home.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Reid’s statement was striking for its sheer pusillanimity.—
Adam S. Posen,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Dec. 2015
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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 20 Aug. 2025.
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