1
as in afraid
having or showing a shameful lack of courage
the victors had only contempt for the recreant enemy soldiers who surrendered without firing a shot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in traitorous
not true in one's allegiance to someone or something
recreant campaign workers who walked out as soon as their candidate began dropping in the polls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in deserter
a person who abandons a cause or organization usually without right
traditionally armies have dealt harshly with recreants, with execution being a common punishment for desertion during wartime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in coward
a person who shows a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger
the historian reserved his greatest contempt for those recreants who opposed the witch hunt but lacked the courage to speak out against it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in traitor
one who betrays a trust or an allegiance
a spy and recreant to his country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recreant
Adjective
-
In his four years in charge of the Mavericks, Harrison hasn’t been afraid to take big swings.—
C. Clark, M. Vorkunov and F. Katz,
The Athletic,
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
-
The blame for this terrifying scenario, McCarthy declared, rested with traitorous federal employees, who had sold their country out and had to be purged from its service.—
Made by History,
TIME,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Guinevere, usually relegated to the thankless role of traitorous wife, acts here as Arthur’s beloved confidante.—
Elizabeth Hand,
Washington Post,
16 July 2024
Noun
-
The love story of a Confederate deserter (Jude Law) journeying back to his North Carolina home and his love (Nicole Kidman) drives the Civil War drama.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The deserters were typically shot simultaneously by three or more fellow soldiers — one of whom might have been issued blanks, rather than live rounds, as was the case in the 2010 Utah execution — to blur the lines of responsibility for the death.—
Jacey Fortin,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The employees are spoiled and the investors are cowards.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Democrats — who are usually cowards when the subject is race — are afraid to defend DEI.—
Ruben Navarrette,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The president saw General Milley as a grandstander and a traitor.—
Eric Schmitt,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
-
With only two episodes left, faithful Britney Haynes has been recruited as the latest traitor.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Why do so many people love to be frightened and unnerved?—
Jeremy Engle,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
-
But can dogs actually be frightened of heights like some humans?—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Post misconstrues video of Trump at Gabbard's swearing-in ceremony The Threads post appeared to draw a false conclusion from Salcedo's remarks about not seeing Gabbard being sworn in during the Feb. 12 edition of his program.—
Andre Byik,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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President Trump's false claims that Ukraine bore responsibility for starting the war are further cause for concern among Ukrainians and Europeans that the American leader is eyeing a resolution heavily tilted in Moscow's favor.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Some have held him up as a renegade, choosing freedom over the comforts of domestic life.—
Rick Rojas,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2025
-
To someone, the renegade and pop-culture memes might be worth a few months’ rent.—
Hank Sanders,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Recreant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recreant. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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