Synonyms for

Cowardly

Verb / ˈkaʊɜ:dli: / Another word for cowardly — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Cowardly means lacking courage, being afraid or timid.

Synonyms & similar words

brave fearful afraid fearful timid spineless craven pusillanimous faint-hearted chicken-hearted yellow-bellied gutless weak-kneed lily-livered chicken scared terrified panicky nervous anxious apprehensive unheroic

Synonyms by register

Formal

pusillanimous craven timorous

Informal

chicken yellow gutless lily-livered

Literary

faint-hearted effeminate

Antonyms

brave courageous valiant bold fearless heroic intrepid

Common collocations

  • cowardly act
  • cowardly behavior
  • cowardly retreat
  • cowardly attack
  • cowardly decision
  • cowardly response

Word family

noun cowardice
adverb cowardly

Usage note

Cowardly is a strong negative adjective implying a lack of courage in the face of danger or difficulty. It is often used to describe actions rather than people directly.

Example sentences

  1. The cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz was afraid of everything.
  2. The boy was too cowardly to tell the truth about breaking the vase.
  3. She felt a little cowardly about not wanting to ride the rollercoaster.
  4. The soldier was called a cowardly for running away from the battlefield.
  5. The chicken was too cowardly to cross the road.

Quotes

  • Cowardice is the most terrible of vices.
  • Cowardice, as distinguished from panic, is almost always simply a lack of ability to suspend the functioning of the imagination.
  • It's better to fight and fall than to live without hope.

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