as in afraid
having or showing a shameful lack of courage
pusillanimous politicians who vote according to whichever way the political wind is blowing
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Recent Examples of pusillanimous
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.
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Arthur Levitt, WSJ, 12 Nov. 2023
Those clumsy tales revealed Chazelle’s pusillanimous career ambitions.
—Armond White, National Review, 13 Jan. 2023
This is a remarkably pusillanimous way of framing the case.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2022
This book should—but won’t—be read by Joe Biden’s national security team, not to mention the pusillanimous leaders of Germany and France.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022
His pusillanimous and fraudulent conduct must be stopped.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 8 July 2022
Where the president should be direct and full-throated, Biden has been, at best, indirect and pusillanimous.
—The Editors, National Review, 12 May 2022
Rifkin’s story should rage against the pusillanimous like Roth and the hero of Look Back in Anger.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 Feb. 2022
The English were led by the exemplary Admiral Edward Vernon — after whom the Washington family home, Mount Vernon, would be named — and the incompetent, pusillanimous General Thomas Wentworth.
—Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2021
Arthur Levitt, WSJ, 12 Nov. 2023
Those clumsy tales revealed Chazelle’s pusillanimous career ambitions.
—Armond White, National Review, 13 Jan. 2023
This is a remarkably pusillanimous way of framing the case.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2022
This book should—but won’t—be read by Joe Biden’s national security team, not to mention the pusillanimous leaders of Germany and France.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022
His pusillanimous and fraudulent conduct must be stopped.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 8 July 2022
Where the president should be direct and full-throated, Biden has been, at best, indirect and pusillanimous.
—The Editors, National Review, 12 May 2022
Rifkin’s story should rage against the pusillanimous like Roth and the hero of Look Back in Anger.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 Feb. 2022
The English were led by the exemplary Admiral Edward Vernon — after whom the Washington family home, Mount Vernon, would be named — and the incompetent, pusillanimous General Thomas Wentworth.
—Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pusillanimous
Adjective
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Even in districts that have staff dedicated to teaching Black history, some teachers are afraid of violating state law, according to Brian Knowles, who oversees African American, Holocaust and Latino studies for the Palm Beach County school district.Kate Payne, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
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And again, don’t be afraid to consult with your physician.Jenny Berg, Allure, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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To keep Kiara's mind off things, Rafiki tells the story of young Mufasa (Aaron Pierre), who got washed away from his family by a huge flood and was saved by Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), the prince of his pride who shows early signs of his craven nature and eventual heel turn as Scar.Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
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Dancing around Spider-Man without ever getting to use him also contributed to the feeling that these spin-off films were merely exercises in, ahem, craven opportunism.Adam B. Vary, Variety, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Social media has erupted with praise for this cowardly attack.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
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The cowardly cook will turn to squid as a replacement, but only cuttlefish deliver the essential alien squirm, and the relevant recipes are a treat.Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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When Martin dies in class after getting frightened in a dream, the sheet is accidentally pulled off of his gurney to reveal his death rictus.Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
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His fervor to determine who took the weapon reveals a shockingly monstrous side, turning his wife and children into frightened suspects and leading to a jarring tonal-shift ending that proves to be a cathartic, believable final destination for a film simmering with mistrust and anger.Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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And the really jaw-dropping part of AMLO’s gutless abdication?Tim Padgett, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2024
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Two baseballs flew down toward the San Diego Padres’ Jurickson Profar from the left-field corner stands, the gutless moves of two cowards.Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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There are about 60 games left and plenty of time to make up that kind of ground, especially in the AL West against the spineless Mariners and after getting through the Astros last year.Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 23 July 2024
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Don’t let our spineless lawmakers trick you at the ballot box.Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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That evening, in the no man’s land, a field strewn with empty water bottles, four Shia families sat on a picnic blanket around a burner attached to a gas tank, looking scared and drinking yerba mate.Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2024
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Once glued to their hiding spot, a scared cat may not come out when called by its owner.Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The look features bright coral eyeshadow covering the eyelid, a fuchsia shade in the crease, and a swipe of fluorescent yellow eyeliner on the outside half of the eye and right under the brow.Andrea Park, Teen Vogue, 20 July 2017
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Three prominent Austin chefs teamed up with the Youngblood family to build a new restaurant from scratch that looks like a legacy chicken dinner house, down to the bright blue-and-yellow colors and the helpings of hot yeast rolls with honey.Bud Kennedy, star-telegram, 19 July 2017
Articles Related to pusillanimous
Thesaurus Entries Near pusillanimous
Cite this Entry
“Pusillanimous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pusillanimous. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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