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cowardice

[ kou-er-dis ]

/ ˈkaʊ ər dɪs /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR cowardice ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

lack of courage to face danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.

Origin of cowardice

1250–1300; Middle English cowardise < Old French co(u)ardise, equivalent to co(u)art cowardly (see coward) + -ise -ice

SYNONYMS FOR cowardice

pusillanimity, timidity.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR cowardice ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR cowardice

bravery.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR cowardice ON THESAURUS.COM

Words nearby cowardice

cowabunga, cowage, cowal, cowansville, coward, cowardice, cowardly, cowash, cowbane, cowbell, cowberry

Example sentences from the Web for cowardice

But when I look out over the crowd now, I also see that they are trapped—trapped by their cowardice.

Random Hook-Ups or Dry Spells: Why Millennials Flunk College Dating |Ellie Schaack |January 1, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
In the end he told the general he should shoot himself for his cowardice.

Should the U.S. Arm Ukraine’s Militias? |Jamie Dettmer |November 24, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But Boehner and the Republicans refused, completely out of cowardice and to spite Obama.

For Obama, Hell Week Has Arrived |Michael Tomasky |November 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In the back of their patrol car, with her hands cuffed behind her, she mocks their cowardice.

A Brief History of the Phrase 'F*ck the Police' |Rich Goldstein |August 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

“I think it comes from idiocy and cowardice,” said Whedon of the female superhero problem.

Fear of a Minority Superhero: Marvel's Obsession with White Guys Saving the World |Marlow Stern |August 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The display of cowardice was needless, for the Indian rapidly overtracked him.

Menotah |Ernest G. Henham
Monsieur bores me, and I am angry with him for having, out of cowardice, disparaged me so grossly in talking with Madame.

A Chambermaid's Diary |Octave Mirbeau
The journalists then accused him of cowardice—of fearing to trust his reputation to public discussion.

Paris: With Pen and Pencil |David W. Bartlett
Swartwout, perhaps inspired by Jackson, later confirmed this public impression of Wilkinson's cowardice.

The Life of John Marshall Volume 3 of 4 |Albert J. Beveridge
No living being met her eye; and, ashamed of her cowardice, she resumed her seat.

Canadian Crusoes |Catherine Parr Traill

British Dictionary definitions for cowardice

cowardice

/ (ˈkaʊədɪs) /

noun

lack of courage in facing danger, pain, or difficulty