coward
noun
cow·ard ˈkau̇(-ə)rd 
: one who shows disgraceful fear or timidity
a coward who deserted his troops
coward adjective
Synonyms
- chicken
- craven
- cur
- dastard
- funk
- poltroon
- recreant
- sissy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a proven coward who had deserted his troops the soldiers who ran as soon as the first shots were fired were branded as cowards
Recent Examples on the Web Josh Hawley worries that being a coward is overshadowing his work as a fascist. 
Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2022 Trump, for his part, sent out a tweet after the violence already had started, calling Pence a coward, fueling the rage the mob had for his second-in-command who had served him loyally for years. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2022 Both were disturbed by Trump's tweet at 2:24 p.m. calling Vice President Mike Pence a coward. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 22 July 2022 There are sound evolutionary reasons for this stereotype, and one of the most common fears in men is that they’ll be outed as a coward. Frank T. Mcandrew, The Conversation, 12 July 2022 Pottinger told the committee a Trump tweet calling then-Vice President Mike Pence a coward prompted him to resign. Editors, USA TODAY, 21 July 2022 But as aides urged Trump to tweet a message to restore calm, Trump instead called Vice President Mike Pence a coward in a tweet at 2:24 p.m. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 19 July 2022 Only a coward can fight against civilians, take away childhood from defenseless children! Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2022 Scotchee is a coward and should live with that shame forever. Lincee Ray, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2022 See More
Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2022 Trump, for his part, sent out a tweet after the violence already had started, calling Pence a coward, fueling the rage the mob had for his second-in-command who had served him loyally for years. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2022 Both were disturbed by Trump's tweet at 2:24 p.m. calling Vice President Mike Pence a coward. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 22 July 2022 There are sound evolutionary reasons for this stereotype, and one of the most common fears in men is that they’ll be outed as a coward. Frank T. Mcandrew, The Conversation, 12 July 2022 Pottinger told the committee a Trump tweet calling then-Vice President Mike Pence a coward prompted him to resign. Editors, USA TODAY, 21 July 2022 But as aides urged Trump to tweet a message to restore calm, Trump instead called Vice President Mike Pence a coward in a tweet at 2:24 p.m. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 19 July 2022 Only a coward can fight against civilians, take away childhood from defenseless children! Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2022 Scotchee is a coward and should live with that shame forever. Lincee Ray, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French cuard, from cue, coe tail, from Latin cauda
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
coward
noun
cow·ard ˈkau̇-ərd
: a person who shows shameful fear
Biographical Definition
Coward
biographical name
Cow·ard ˈkau̇(-ə)rd
Sir Noël Peirce 1899–1973 English actor and dramatist
cowards
noun
as in cravens
a person who shows a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger the soldiers who ran as soon as the first shots were fired were branded as cowards Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- cravens
- chickens
- dastards
- poltroons
- sissies
- curs
- funks
- defeatists
- pussies
- wimps
- weaklings
- snakes
- quitters
- milquetoasts
- sneaks
- cream puffs
- pushovers
- caitiffs
- recreants
- ostriches
- scaramouches
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- heroes
- stalwarts
- daredevils
- valiants
- liqueurs jaunes
- liqueurs vertes
- liquid
- liquid air
- liquid ammonia
- liquid bleach
- liquid compass
- liquid crystal
- liquid crystal display
- liquid crystalline
- liquid extract
- liquid fire
- liquid glue
- liquid gold
- liquid measure
- liquid oxygen
- liquid refreshment
- liquid rosin
- liquid smoke
- liquid sugar
- liquid-air trap
- liquid-oxygen explosive
- liquidambar
- liquidambars
- liquidate