pusillanimous

adjective

ˌpyü-sə-ˈla-nə-məs How to pronounce pusillanimous (audio)
Definition of pusillanimousnext
as in afraid
having or showing a shameful lack of courage pusillanimous politicians who vote according to whichever way the political wind is blowing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective pusillanimous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pusillanimous are cowardly, craven, and dastardly. While all these words mean "having or showing a lack of courage," pusillanimous suggests a contemptible lack of courage.

the pusillanimous fear of a future full of possibility

Where would cowardly be a reasonable alternative to pusillanimous?

In some situations, the words cowardly and pusillanimous are roughly equivalent. However, cowardly implies a weak or ignoble lack of courage.

a cowardly failure to stand up for principle

When might craven be a better fit than pusillanimous?

While the synonyms craven and pusillanimous are close in meaning, craven suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance.

secretly despised her own craven yes-men

In what contexts can dastardly take the place of pusillanimous?

The words dastardly and pusillanimous can be used in similar contexts, but dastardly often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous.

a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians

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 pusillanimous There was no fanfare — indeed no announcement or change in Oscar rules — but a firestorm of controversy resulted, followed by the Academy’s cowardly, pusillanimous silence on the issue. — Armond White, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025 In this instance, though, the Administration is not attempting to trample on powerless civil servants or migrants, or pusillanimous law firms, or universities that don’t have as much money as Harvard does. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025 Mark Kelly Americans who are rightfully appalled by the pusillanimous response to anti-Semitism on college campuses have been pulling their donations and calling for restrictions on anti-Israel student groups. — Arthur Levitt, WSJ, 12 Nov. 2023 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 See All Example Sentences for pusillanimous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pusillanimous
  1. afraid
  2. craven
  3. cowardly
  4. frightened
  5. gutless
  6. spineless
  7. scared
  8. yellow
Adjective
  • The ruling leaves trans student-athletes and their advocates feeling angry and afraid.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 1 July 2026
  • Pregnant mothers are afraid of their babies not being able to have a home.
    — Dennis Valera, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • 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
  • It’s populated by craven, cowardly traitors.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of craven
Adjective
  • Or maybe the problem is Cape Fear itself for being too cowardly to commit to the certainty that drove the previous versions of this story.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 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
Definition of cowardly
Adjective
  • In May, a frightened horse rammed into another carriage, causing the vehicle to flip over, injuring the driver.
    — ANDREA SACHS THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026
  • Rodríguez acknowledged that many remain too frightened to return home even after inspections declared some buildings safe.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 June 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • Keane called out the Red Wings as gutless for waiting for a home game to exact revenge.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
  • But this seems a lot more gutless than ruthless.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Definition of gutless
Adjective
  • And now the nation will probably never get back to normal because a spineless GOP can never admit that it’s been conned.
    — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 22 May 2026
  • Some of Thomas’s critique appeared to be aimed at weak-willed conservatives, including his fellow-Justices, for being, as Thomas perceives it, too spineless to stand up for the ideals enshrined in the Declaration.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
Definition of spineless
Adjective
  • On Saturday, July 4, the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department rescued a dog that had fallen into a well after running away scared from the sound of fireworks.
    — Emily Harter, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
  • Playing happily one second, and too scared to be alone the next.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • Green means habitable, yellow means moderately damaged, and red signifies that the building is unsafe.
    — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • Hot and even moderately hot pans will scorch the 10% resin content, turning it brown or yellow.
    — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 June 2026
Definition of yellow

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Cite this Entry

“Pusillanimous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pusillanimous. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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