cowardly

1 of 2

adverb

cow·ard·ly ˈkau̇(-ə)rd-lē

Synonyms of cowardly

: in a cowardly manner

cowardly

2 of 2

adjective

: being, resembling, or befitting a coward

a cowardly retreat

cowardliness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for cowardly

cowardly, pusillanimous, craven, dastardly 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

pusillanimous suggests a contemptible lack of courage.

the pusillanimous fear of a future full of possibility

craven suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance.

secretly despised her own craven yes-men

dastardly often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous.

a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians

Examples of cowardly in a Sentence

Adjective He insisted on avoiding a cowardly retreat. She made a cowardly decision to go along with the group. a cowardly attack from behind

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Adverb

For example, the way Angine tries but doesn’t dare, is kind of cowardly. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 Nov. 2025 Those too cowardly to look their barista in the eyes before deciding not to give them a tip no longer have to simply hide behind an official Starbucks app. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 23 Apr. 2026

Adjective

My senators are too cowardly to talk to me. — FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026 But even the most perfect Constitution can be undone by the wicked with the help of the bought, the stupid, and the cowardly. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cowardly

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1551, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of cowardly was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

cowardliness

cowardly

cowardness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cowardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cowardly. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cowardly

adjective

cow·ard·ly

ˈkau̇(-ə)rd-lē

: lacking courage : disgracefully timid

a cowardly rascal

: characteristic of a coward

a cowardly attack from behind

cowardly adverb

cowardliness noun

cowardly

adverb

adjective

Synonyms of cowardly

Examples of cowardly in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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