pusillanimous

pu·sil·lan·i·mous

adj \-ˈla-nə-məs\

Definition of PUSILLANIMOUS

: lacking courage and resolution : marked by contemptible timidity

— pu·sil·lan·i·mous·ly adverb

Examples of PUSILLANIMOUS

1. <pusillanimous politicians who vote according to whichever way the political wind is blowing>

Origin of PUSILLANIMOUS

Late Latin pusillanimis, from Latin pusillus very small (diminutive of pusus boy) + animus spirit; perhaps akin to Latin puer child — more at puerile, animate

First Known Use: 1586

Related to PUSILLANIMOUS

Synonyms: chicken, chickenhearted, chicken-livered, craven, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered [archaic], poltroon, cowardly, recreant, spineless, unheroic, yellow

Antonyms: brave, courageous, daring, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, hardy, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, valiant, valorous

Related Words: diffident, fainthearted, fearful, timid, timorous; afraid, frightened, scared; careful, cautious, wary; bashful, coy, shy; feeble, soft, unmanly, weak

Near Antonyms: audacious, bold, brazen, cheeky, nervy; plucky, spirited, spunky; determined, resolute

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See Synonym Discussion at cowardly