cowardice

noun

cow·​ard·​ice ˈkau̇(-ə)r-dəs 

 dialectal  -(ˌ)dīs

: lack of courage or firmness of purpose

soldiers accused of cowardice

Synonyms

• cowardliness
• cravenness
• dastardliness
• gutlessness
• poltroonery
• pusillanimity
• spinelessness

Examples of cowardice in a Sentence

the cowardice shown by political leaders who were willing to give the Nazis whatever they wanted

Recent Examples on the Web

Prophecy so tightly adheres to Villeneuve’s vision that the series feels like an act of cowardice and abdication of creativity. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024

Navalny’s memoir deftly exposes the infinite vices in the current Russian government that rewards venality, cowardice and stupidity but punishes integrity, brains and the courage to speak truth to power. —Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 15 Nov. 2024

Read: The cowardice of open letters Predictably, the letter has led to a backlash. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024

Are these companies holding back out of budgetary reasons, out of cowardice, out of political disagreement? —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cowardise, from Anglo-French coardise, from cuard — see coward

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cowardice

noun

cow·​ard·​ice ˈkau̇(-ə)rd-əs 

: lack of courage to face danger : shameful fear