COWARD Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

coward 1 of 2

noun

ˈkau̇(-ə)rd

Definition of coward

as in craven

a person who shows a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger the soldiers who ran as soon as the first shots were fired were branded as cowards

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

coward

2 of 2

adjective

as in cowardly

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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 coward

Noun

But Coyote has hitched his hopes for the mammoth case upon a man who could only be called a coward. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 The pundits feasted on her neutrality, most venomously Megyn Kelly, who called her a coward. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Whoomp, whoomp bumped the coward heart. — James Arthur, The New York Review of Books, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for coward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coward

Noun

This measure is a craven, deceptive, regressive, and destructive push to gut local control and services, and hand power to a barely accountable central government in Tallahassee.

— Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026
In 2024, The Onion purchased Infowars, the conspiracy website born of the craven lunatic/Sandy Hook shooting denier Alex Jones.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of craven

Adjective

The cowardly strike on civilians—some of whom were religious pilgrims—took the lives of at least 14 people and injured more than 300.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
To know that a torture as violent as rape is about to happen ‘upstairs’ and not do ANYTHING ABOUT IT, is sick, cowardly and cold.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of cowardly

Noun

No more information was given, but this could’ve been the bread and/or chicken wings the aforementioned flies treated like a backyard trampoline.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
Southern essentials such as brisket, Nashville hot chicken and grits round out the menu.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of chicken

Adjective

The move makes the Savu three look so gutless and spineless for folding faster than my beloved Washington Commanders before an overtime field goal attempt.

— Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2026
Forget about the networks, the streaming money is just going to continue to get bigger, especially at a time when there are almost as many pay channels as there are gutless members of Congress.

— Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of gutless

Adjective

Some also have lost lawyers, dismayed by the pusillanimous behavior of their leaders.

— Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
The second believed the United States could attain comprehensive security through military-technological means and saw diplomacy as a quixotic or pusillanimous enterprise that dishonored and weakened the country.

— A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025

Definition of pusillanimous

Browse Nearby Words

cow

coward

cowardice

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Style

“Coward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coward. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of coward

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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