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

Explanation

Cowardice is a lack of bravery. If you run away screaming when your Uncle Marvin shows up to the Halloween party in a clown mask, you will betray your cowardice — particularly if you're not a child. The opposite of courageousness is cowardice. For example, not standing up for someone who's being bullied shows cowardice. The origin of the words coward and cowardice has been traced to the Latin word for "tail," coda, showing a connection with a popular phrase that describes cowardice: "walking away with their tails between their legs."

Example Sentences

"Constantly assuming new faces, it has insinuated itself into the heart of our societies, into every crack, too often accompanied by that same pact of cowardice: to keep silent, to refuse to see."

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Sentencing, the judge said Rhodes's cowardice added to his list of "malignant characteristics".

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, the most ruthless member of the top echelon, went into hiding, his reputation for cowardice intact.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026

“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 • Dec. 15, 2025

“And those who blamed cowardice were the Dauntless.”

From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth