cowardly

3 definitions • 7 examples

(of a person) not at all brave and too eager to avoid danger, difficulty, or pain :

He was too cowardly to give the order.

When they criticize us anonymously they come across as cowardly.

These are not cowardly people, but they are cautious.

(of an action) showing that someone is not at all brave and is too eager to avoid danger, difficulty, or pain:

This was a particularly brutal and cowardly attack.

They are guilty of a cowardly failure to address the problem.

It was cowardly not to own up to the mistake.

in a way that shows someone is not at all brave and is too eager to avoid danger, difficulty, or pain:

We will not retreat or act cowardly.