Definition of 'cowardly'

Word Frequency

cowardly (kaʊəʳdli )

adjective

If you describe someone as cowardly, you disapprove of them because they are easily frightened and avoid doing dangerous and difficult things.

[disapproval]

I was too cowardly to complain.

...a cowardly act of violence.

Synonyms: faint-hearted, scared, spineless, gutless [informal] More Synonyms of cowardly

Word Frequency

cowardly (ˈkaʊədlɪ )

adjective

of or characteristic of a coward; lacking courage

Derived forms

cowardliness (ˈcowardliness)

noun

Word Frequency

cowardly in American English (ˈkaʊərdli ; kouˈərdlē)

adjective

of or typical of a coward; shamefully fearful

adverb

in the manner of a coward

SYNONYMY NOTE: cowardly, the general term, suggests a reprehensible lack of courage in the face of danger or pain [a cowardly deserter]; craven implies abject or fainthearted fear [a craven fear for one's life]; pusillanimous implies an ignoble, contemptible lack of courage or endurance [pusillanimous submission]; dastardly connotes a sneaking, malicious cowardice that is manifested in a despicable act [a dastardly informer]

OPPOSITE: brave

Derived forms

cowardliness (ˈcowardliness)

noun

Example sentences containing 'cowardly'

The only cowardly thing about him is that he will not tell us if it is winnable.

Times, Sunday Times (2009)

It was a cowardly attack by a strong man on a distinctly weaker woman.

The Sun (2014)

Know that they have killed my son in the most cowardly way.

Times, Sunday Times (2009)

He did not deserve to have it taken from him in a cowardly attack.

The Sun (2013)

It struck me as a cowardly way to behave.

Times, Sunday Times (2012)

He offered to replace cash cowardly thugs stole from the 82-year-old.

The Sun (2008)

Will Eve be able to forgive him or are some acts too cowardly to ignore?

The Sun (2014)

To denounce or shrug off a call for co-operation is an easy and cowardly thing.

Times, Sunday Times (2009)

Something has to be done to stop this dreadful, cowardly act.

The Sun (2015)

It is such a cowardly and horrible thing to do, especially to a child.

The Sun (2012)

Why reject him, in a cowardly way?

Times, Sunday Times (2007)

For big men, they sure are acting cowardly.

The Sun (2015)

It's a terribly cowardly thing to do.

Times, Sunday Times (2014)

Our brave soldiers are being killed not in fighting but by the sneaky, cowardly acts of terrorists.

The Sun (2006)

A more cowardly attack is barely conceivable.

The Sun (2012)

I fear more idiots will attack in this cowardly way.

The Sun (2010)

I thought it was a dreadfully cowardly thing to do.

The Sun (2013)

Killing a vulnerable child in this manner must be just about one of the most cowardly and wicked acts that any man can stoop to.

Times, Sunday Times (2006)

It was a cowardly attack.

The Sun (2011)

Studies have shown that people who commit such cowardly sickening acts against innocent defenceless animals move on to attack bigger things, such as people.

The Sun (2015)

What happened here was an unprovoked and cowardly attack,' he said.

Times, Sunday Times (2006)

Police branded the attack 'disgusting and cowardly'.

The Sun (2013)

But he added: 'It was a cowardly attack.

The Sun (2012)

Instead we are forced, through the cowardly acts of our superiors, to hide in shame.

Times, Sunday Times (2006)

THREE cowardly thugs who launched savage attacks on Asian shopkeepers were each jailed for 18 months yesterday.

The Sun (2009)

Trends of 'cowardly'

Translations for 'cowardly'

British English: cowardly /ˈkaʊədlɪ/ ADJECTIVE
Someone who is cowardly is easily frightened and so avoids doing dangerous or difficult things.I was too cowardly to complain.