cowardice

American  

[kou-er-dis] / ˈkaʊ ər dɪs /

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   timidity, pusillanimity

   Antonyms:

   bravery

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cowardice British  

/ ˈkaʊədɪs /

noun

1. lack of courage in facing danger, pain, or difficulty

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Etymology

Origin of cowardice

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English cowardise, from Old French co(u)ardise; equivalent to coward + -ice

Example Sentences

“Self-censorship” is what Mr. Hersh calls the flaw in so many news organizations to miss or ignore controversial stories, when what he really means is laziness and cowardice.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The people who refused to condemn Candace's truly vicious attacks - and some of them are speaking here tonight - are guilty of cowardice," Shapiro said.

From BBC

Jordy proclaimed his innocence in a video on social media, saying that the police had the "cowardice" to raid his home on his daughter's third birthday.

From Barron's

“The sense of security in our community has, again, been shattered by the act of cowardice and hate that is unacceptable,” David Englin, senior regional director of the ADL Los Angeles said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

The details of that incident couldn’t offer a clearer illustration of what cowardice playing at toughness looks like.

From Salon