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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cowardly

Adjective

The cowardly cook will turn to squid as a replacement, but only cuttlefish deliver the essential alien squirm, and the relevant recipes are a treat. —

Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024 What he is accused of is being a cowardly murderer, plain and simple — shooting an unsuspecting person in the back. —

New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Dec. 2024

Adverb

Although Florida has the largest population of Haitians of any state, DeSantis is too cowardly to criticize Donald Trump’s demonizing of the Haitian people. —

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Sep. 2024 How Trump, who so clearly got the better of President Joe Biden in their single matchup, can see this strategy as beneficial to him and not cowardly is a stumper. —

Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 7 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cowardly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cowardly

Adjective

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
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