cowardly

[ kou-erd-lee ]

Antonyms for cowardly

adjective. nastily and unfairly

adjective. weak, timid

adjective. servile

adjective. rotten

adjective. timid

Word Origin & History

1550s, from coward + -ly (1). The adverb (late 14c.) is much older than the adjective:

An Old English word for "cowardly" was earg, which also meant "slothful." Related: Cowardliness.

I think it cowardly of you to say that I am to be held responsible.

Its first war-cry was stifled back by the brutal and cowardly hand of Destiny.

His cowardly rages made them dread a shot in the back or poison in their coffee.

Beauty Smith regained his feet and came toward him, sniffling and cowardly.

He was as cowardly and wicked as Richard was brave and generous.

He was a cowardly lad, whom fear of the Prussians drove into a fever.

It was cowardly of him to take advantage of his superior strength!

The man was so contemptible; so unutterably low and 257 vile and cowardly.

What he had thought of would be too cowardly: besides, that child must be happy!

He was too cowardly, too voluptuous to risk his tranquillity.