1
: free from spines, thorns, or prickles
2
a
: having no spinal column : invertebrate
b
: lacking strength of character
spinelessly
adverb
spinelessness
noun
Examples of spineless in a Sentence
a spineless man who let his wife make all the decisions
spineless seamen who trembled at the first roar of the cannon
Recent Examples on the Web
Within hours — in what could only be described as a spineless and cowardly move — the network and those broadcasters took the bait and silenced him.
—
Jason Bailey, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
That kind of spineless politics is what people are sick of.
—Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
That kind of spineless politics is what people are sick of.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
Played by a sniveling Casey Siemaszko, Billy is spineless and spiteful.
—Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
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Jason Bailey, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
That kind of spineless politics is what people are sick of.
—Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
That kind of spineless politics is what people are sick of.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
Played by a sniveling Casey Siemaszko, Billy is spineless and spiteful.
—Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Cite this Entry
“Spineless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spineless. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spineless
adjective
spine·less
ˈspīn-ləs 
1
: having no spines, thorns, or prickles
2
a
: having no backbone : invertebrate
b
: lacking spirit, courage, or determination
spinelessly
adverb
spinelessness
noun
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