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Showing results for cowardly. Search instead for cowardli.
Definitions

cowardly

[kou-erd-lee] / ˈkaʊ ərd li /
ADJECTIVE
fearful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dastardly
WEAK
afraid anxious apprehensive backward base chicken-hearted cowering cowhearted craven diffident dismayed fainthearted frightened gutless having the willies jittery lacking courage lily-livered nervous no guts panicky pigeonhearted pusillanimous recreant retiring running scared scared shrinking shy soft spineless timid timorous weak weak-kneed worthless yellow yellow-bellied
Antonyms
WEAK
bold brave courageous daring dauntless unafraid undaunted unfearful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Masoud Pezeshkian said the "cowardly assassination" had left Iran "in deep mourning", after Israel said on Wednesday it had killed Khatib in an air strike.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Hoping someone else will intervene isn’t cowardly; it’s a means of survival in constantly uncertain conditions.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

Surely, I thought, the film will figure out how it feels by the time it offs a Redfellow who’s merely ordinary-terrible: Bill Camp’s drunken, cowardly banker.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Det Insp MacColl added: "Their readiness to confront danger made us determined to ensure he is held to account for his cowardly actions, and I hope his conviction brings some comfort."

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

“That is an excellent question, Jane. Perhaps you would have heard how most of them were dismissed after their cowardly behavior at the lecture, if you had joined us in the sitting room.”

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland