cowardly
/'kauədli/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted: Describes a person, action, or behavior that shows a shameful lack of bravery or a willingness to avoid danger, difficulty, or pain due to fear.
Usage
The adjective "cowardly" is used to characterize a person or their actions. It is a strong, negative term implying a moral judgment. It typically precedes a noun (e.g., a cowardly act) or follows a linking verb (e.g., His behavior was cowardly).
Examples
- Adjective:
- The cowardly soldier deserted his post when the enemy attacked.
- It was a cowardly attack on an unarmed civilian.
- She felt it was cowardly to spread rumors instead of confronting the issue directly.
Advanced Usage
- "cowardly" as an adverb (archaic/formal): In older or very formal English, "cowardly" can function as an adverb meaning "in a cowardly manner." However, the modern adverbial form is "cowardly" is less common, with "in a cowardly way" often preferred.
- He acted cowardly in the face of danger. (Less common; "He acted in a cowardly way" is more standard.)
Variants and Related Words
- Coward (n): A person who lacks courage.
- He was branded a coward for his refusal to fight.
- Cowardice (n): The trait of lacking courage.
- His cowardice in the crisis disappointed everyone.
- Cowardliness (n): Synonym for cowardice.
Synonyms
- Timid: Showing a lack of courage or confidence.
- Faint-hearted: Lacking conviction or boldness.
- Craven: Completely lacking in courage; contemptibly cowardly.
- Gutless: (Informal) Lacking courage or determination.
- Spineless: Lacking strength of character.
Antonyms
- Brave: Ready to face and endure danger or pain.
- Courageous: Not deterred by danger or pain; brave.
- Bold: Showing a willingness to take risks; confident and courageous.
- Valiant: Possessing or showing courage or determination.
- Heroic: Having the characteristics of a hero; exceedingly brave.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To show a yellow streak: To show cowardice.
- He showed a yellow streak when he refused to testify.
- To have a yellow belly: (Slang) To be a coward.
- To turn tail: To run away from danger or a confrontation; to flee cowardly.
- When the argument got heated, he simply turned tail and left.
Adjective
-
lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted
-
cowardly dogs, ye will not aid me then- P.B.Shelley
-
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ trái nghĩa
Từ tương tự
Từ gần giống
