craven

adjective

cra·​ven ˈkrā-vən How to pronounce craven (audio)
1
: lacking the least bit of courage : contemptibly fainthearted
craven mercenaries who would not fight …Thomas Fleming
2
archaic : defeated, vanquished
craven noun
cravenly adverb
cravenness noun

Did you know?

Craven and its synonyms dastardly and pusillanimous are all basically fancy words for "cowardly." Don't be afraid to use them—here's a little information to help you recognize the subtle distinctions in their connotations. Craven suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance. One might speak of "craven yes-men." Dastardly often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous, as in this example: "a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians." Pusillanimous suggests a contemptible lack of courage, as in "After the attack, one editorialist characterized the witnesses as 'the pusillanimous bystanders.'"

Choose the Right Synonym for craven

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 craven in a Sentence

a craven refusal to deliver the unwelcome news personally
Recent Examples on the Web The callousness of investigators, the craven police interrogation methods that seek to discount the memory of survivors by insisting the truth hinges on minute details and the vitriol of a misogynistic public are all on display in Black Box Diaries. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Oct. 2024 Or, for that matter, the jealous, craven Guy rising to the surface, whom Stan nails hilariously with each stewing grimace. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2024 The glow of paradise is offset by the stench of crime, usually committed by craven schemers. Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024 For years, Democrats mocked Republicans for their politically craven fealty to former president Donald Trump. Ashley Parker, Washington Post, 11 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for craven 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'craven.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cravant

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of craven was in the 13th century

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Dictionary Entries Near craven

Cite this Entry

“Craven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/craven. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

craven

1 of 2 adjective
cra·​ven
ˈkrā-vən
cravenly adverb
cravenness
-vən-(n)əs
noun

craven

2 of 2 noun
: coward

More from Merriam-Webster on craven

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