UNHEROIC Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

unheroic

adjective

ˌən-hi-ˈrō-ik

Definition of unheroic

as in cowardly

having or showing a shameful lack of courage the new biography casts the romanticized outlaw in a much more vicious and unheroic light

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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 unheroic Yes, Arsenal fan Neel from New Delhi held his nerve on the final day to shake off the persistent and heroic challenge of six-year-old Wilfred — and the meandering, distinctly unheroic challenge of a 51-year-old journalist. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 26 May 2026 That larger significance is remarkably unheroic and fatalistic. — Gabriel Winslow-Yost, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024 In the world of The Boys, based on the gleefully scabrous 2000s indie comic-book series of the same name by writer Garth Ennis and artist Darick Robertson, superheroes are real, pop-culture-dominating, and with rare exceptions, entirely unheroic. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2024 From the costumes to the makeup, from visual effects to sound design, the goal was to be as realistic as possible and underscore the movie’s anti-war and deliberately unheroic depiction of an ordinary soldier in battle. — Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unheroic

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

Adjective

For trick-or-treating, the department warned that small children may be afraid of dogs, while dogs themselves may be afraid of all the commotion with gaggles of kids coming to the door.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Students reported feeling threatened or afraid to be on campus.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of afraid

Adjective

Discovering that your identity has been stolen can leave you feeling angry, frightened and unsure where to begin.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
In one video, a young orangutan can be seen crouching in the corner of a small, dark crate, its frightened eyes wide open.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of frightened

Adjective

Did my eyes widen, revealing a craven journalist ready to pounce on an exclusive?

— Jason Sheeler, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026
She was especially hurt that some of the people who criticized Cox most harshly, dismissing him as craven and disingenuous, were those who had the closest relationships with him.

— McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of craven

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

Adjective

The Democratic nominee against Knott hopes for an upset in a year when even Republican members in safe seats like the 13th District are running scared.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Everyone is scared to testify against Szabo, so his legal case is dismissed.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of scared

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

Who wants to be the last one still funding these data center projects, a dastardly term that encompasses a significant share of economic growth and the stock market?

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2026
Lowen suspects that Verity (1) is telling the truth in her memoir and lying in the press footage online and (2) can actually walk and talk and is faking her illness for dastardly yet unclear reasons.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of dastardly

Browse Nearby Words

unheralded

unheroic

unhesitating

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“Unheroic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unheroic. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unheroic

adjective

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