Thomas Fleming
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Craven and its synonyms dastardly and pusillanimous are all basically fancy words for "cowardly." Don't be afraid to use them—here's a little information to help you recognize the subtle distinctions in their connotations. Craven suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance. One might speak of "craven yes-men." Dastardly often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous, as in this example: "a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians." Pusillanimous suggests a contemptible lack of courage, as in "After the attack, one editorialist characterized the witnesses as 'the pusillanimous bystanders.'"
Synonyms
Examples of craven in a Sentence
Ronald R. Krebs, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2021
The callousness of investigators, the craven police interrogation methods that seek to discount the memory of survivors by insisting the truth hinges on minute details and the vitriol of a misogynistic public are all on display in Black Box Diaries.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Oct. 2024
Or, for that matter, the jealous, craven Guy rising to the surface, whom Stan nails hilariously with each stewing grimace.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2024
The glow of paradise is offset by the stench of crime, usually committed by craven schemers.
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near craven
Cite this Entry
“Craven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/craven. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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