as in afraid
having or showing a shameful lack of courage
pusillanimous politicians who vote according to whichever way the political wind is blowing
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Recent Examples of pusillanimous
Mark Kelly Americans who are rightfully appalled by the pusillanimous response to anti-Semitism on college campuses have been pulling their donations and calling for restrictions on anti-Israel student groups.
—
Arthur Levitt, WSJ, 12 Nov. 2023
Those clumsy tales revealed Chazelle’s pusillanimous career ambitions.
—Armond White, National Review, 13 Jan. 2023
This is a remarkably pusillanimous way of framing the case.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2022
This book should—but won’t—be read by Joe Biden’s national security team, not to mention the pusillanimous leaders of Germany and France.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022
His pusillanimous and fraudulent conduct must be stopped.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 8 July 2022
Where the president should be direct and full-throated, Biden has been, at best, indirect and pusillanimous.
—The Editors, National Review, 12 May 2022
Rifkin’s story should rage against the pusillanimous like Roth and the hero of Look Back in Anger.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 Feb. 2022
The English were led by the exemplary Admiral Edward Vernon — after whom the Washington family home, Mount Vernon, would be named — and the incompetent, pusillanimous General Thomas Wentworth.
—Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2021
Arthur Levitt, WSJ, 12 Nov. 2023
Those clumsy tales revealed Chazelle’s pusillanimous career ambitions.
—Armond White, National Review, 13 Jan. 2023
This is a remarkably pusillanimous way of framing the case.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2022
This book should—but won’t—be read by Joe Biden’s national security team, not to mention the pusillanimous leaders of Germany and France.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022
His pusillanimous and fraudulent conduct must be stopped.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 8 July 2022
Where the president should be direct and full-throated, Biden has been, at best, indirect and pusillanimous.
—The Editors, National Review, 12 May 2022
Rifkin’s story should rage against the pusillanimous like Roth and the hero of Look Back in Anger.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 Feb. 2022
The English were led by the exemplary Admiral Edward Vernon — after whom the Washington family home, Mount Vernon, would be named — and the incompetent, pusillanimous General Thomas Wentworth.
—Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pusillanimous
Adjective
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That’s what happens often with folks who are afraid to take that step, to start something new or scary.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Moving safely from the clouds to this perch required a steep angle, a dexterous pilot, and passengers more afraid of missing the film festival than of death upon impact.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Fresh off a terrifying election cycle that feels like a fever dream (or the most craven Ryan Murphy series), America in 2025 is downright disorienting.—
Christopher Rosa,
Glamour,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Trump has already turned a national tragedy into a craven, baseless political attack by blaming DEI programs at the FAA and past administrations.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Nothing is spared in recounting their odious criminal acts and the cowardly machinations of the church’s leadership to hide them.—
Mary Jo McConahay,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2025
-
May God comfort the families of the victims, heal the injured and protect humanity from those who dare to commit such cowardly acts of mass violence.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Why do so many people love to be frightened and unnerved?—
Jeremy Engle,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
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But can dogs actually be frightened of heights like some humans?—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
And the really jaw-dropping part of AMLO’s gutless abdication?—
Tim Padgett,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Aug. 2024
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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
Adjective
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His spineless vice president and defense secretary then echoed Trump’s garbage.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2025
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Zuckerberg blasts Biden admin on Joe Rogan; Dave Portnoy calls CEO ‘spineless jellyfish’ Robby Soave and Lynda Tran react to Mark Zuckerberg’s appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.—
The Hill,
The Hill,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The Europeans seem presently more hurt than scared.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
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Ingram had to miss the final 19 games of the regular season, but the Pelicans weren’t scared away by the issue.—
Shane Young,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The look features bright coral eyeshadow covering the eyelid, a fuchsia shade in the crease, and a swipe of fluorescent yellow eyeliner on the outside half of the eye and right under the brow.—
Andrea Park,
Teen Vogue,
20 July 2017
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Three prominent Austin chefs teamed up with the Youngblood family to build a new restaurant from scratch that looks like a legacy chicken dinner house, down to the bright blue-and-yellow colors and the helpings of hot yeast rolls with honey.—
Bud Kennedy,
star-telegram,
19 July 2017
Articles Related to pusillanimous
Cite this Entry
“Pusillanimous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pusillanimous. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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