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.

In his own estimation, he had behaved cowardly.

From Literature

At the end of a crisis, there is a cowardly tendency to sit back and say 'phew'.

From BBC

It is cowardly, I know, but I cannot see your faces and walk away.

From Literature

The United Nations on Tuesday called the recent attacks "heinous and cowardly".

From Barron's

She had previously described Majek as a "sick, twisted and cowardly human".

From BBC