COWARDLY Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'cowardly' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cowardly are craven , dastardly , and pusillanimous . While all these words mean "having or showing a lack of courage," cowardly implies a weak or ignoble lack of courage. // a cowardly failure to stand up for principle

Q: When would 'craven' be a good substitute for 'cowardly'?

The synonyms craven and cowardly are sometimes interchangeable, but craven suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance. // secretly despised her own craven yes-men

Q: When is it sensible to use 'dastardly' instead of 'cowardly'?

While in some cases nearly identical to cowardly , dastardly often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous. // a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians

Q: When could 'pusillanimous' be used to replace 'cowardly'?

In some situations, the words pusillanimous and cowardly are roughly equivalent. However, pusillanimous suggests a contemptible lack of courage. // the pusillanimous fear of a future full of possibility

cowardly 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of cowardly next

as in afraid

having or showing a shameful lack of courage a cowardly bully who picks on the weak and defenseless vile charges that were made in a cowardly, unsigned letter

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cowardly

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adverb

as in cravenly

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How does the adjective cowardly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cowardly are craven, dastardly, and pusillanimous. While all these words mean "having or showing a lack of courage," cowardly implies a weak or ignoble lack of courage.

a cowardly failure to stand up for principle

When would craven be a good substitute for cowardly?

The synonyms craven and cowardly are sometimes interchangeable, but craven suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance.

secretly despised her own craven yes-men

When is it sensible to use dastardly instead of cowardly?

While in some cases nearly identical to cowardly, dastardly often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous.

a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians

When could pusillanimous be used to replace cowardly?

In some situations, the words pusillanimous and cowardly are roughly equivalent. However, pusillanimous suggests a contemptible lack of courage.

the pusillanimous fear of a future full of possibility

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of cowardly

Adjective

This cowardly response has not and should not end the firestorm. —

Ediberto Roman and Ernesto Sagas, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Dec. 2024 During an interview on the debut episode of Sean with Sean Hannity on Tuesday, December 3, the actor admitted that sending a breakup letter to now-wife Jennifer Flavin via FedEx in 1994 was a cowardly move. —

Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

Adverb

Which is why this thinly veiled barb at Diddy’s ex Cassie — who accused Diddy of rape, battery, and various forms of abuse and was seen on a recently unearthed video being violently assaulted by the mogul — is so cowardly. —

Matthew Ismael Ruiz, Vulture, 16 July 2024 While the show nails his glow-up from being a cowardly yakuza to becoming a major player in the Tojo clan, the climax fumbles his fall from grace by devolving his menace and inner turmoil into cartoonish villainy in the show’s finale. —

Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cowardly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cowardly

Adjective

Even in districts that have staff dedicated to teaching Black history, some teachers are afraid of violating state law, according to Brian Knowles, who oversees African American, Holocaust and Latino studies for the Palm Beach County school district.

Kate Payne, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
And again, don’t be afraid to consult with your physician.

Jenny Berg, Allure, 24 Dec. 2024