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Synonyms for

Coward

Noun / ˈkaʊɜ:d / Another word for coward — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

A person who lacks courage in facing danger or pain.

Synonyms & similar words

coward noelcoward sirnoelpiercecoward chicken wimp yellow-belly scaredy-cat sissy fraidy-cat milksop poltroon craven weakling pusillanimous timid fearful spineless gutless lily-livered yellow afraid shy timorous

Synonyms by register

Formal

pusillanimous craven timorous

Informal

chicken scaredy-cat yellow-belly wimp

Literary

lily-livered dastard

Antonyms

brave hero valiant courageous bold fearless intrepid

Common collocations

  • complete coward
  • utter coward
  • moral coward
  • yellow coward
  • die a coward
  • accused of being a coward
  • no coward

Word family

noun cowardice
adjective cowardly

Usage note

Coward is a strong and generally negative term. 'Cowardice' is the noun form, and 'cowardly' is the adjective.

Compare "coward" with another word →

Example sentences

  1. The cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz was afraid of everything.
  2. When the bully confronted him, he acted like a coward and ran away.
  3. He called me a coward for not wanting to jump off the high diving board.
  4. The soldier was not a coward for not wanting to go to war.
  5. Being brave doesn't mean you're never afraid, it means facing your fears even when you are.

Quotes

  • 'Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.' - William Shakespeare
  • 'The coward only threatens when he is safe.' - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
  • 'The coward calls the brave man rash, the rash man calls him a coward.' - Aristotle

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