pusillanimous

American  

[pyoo-suh-lan-uh-muhs] / ˌpyu səˈlæn ə məs /

adjective

1. lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.

   Synonyms:

   frightened, fearful, timorous

2. proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit.

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pusillanimous British  

/ ˌpjuːsɪləˈnɪmɪtɪ, ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs /

adjective

1. characterized by a lack of courage or determination

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Other Word Forms

• pusillanimity noun
• pusillanimously adverb

Etymology

Origin of pusillanimous

1580–90; < Late Latin pusillanimis petty-spirited, equivalent to Latin pusill ( us ) very small, petty + -anim ( is ) -spirited, -minded ( anim ( us ) spirit + -is adj. suffix); -ous

Explanation

You can describe someone who lacks courage as pusillanimous, such as a pusillanimous student who is too afraid to speak out against someone who is bullying others. Its Latin origin — pusillus and animus — tells us that pusillanimous means "very small spirit." If you are pusillanimous, pronounced "pew-sill-AN-ih-mus," you don't have the spirit — or the confidence or drive — to step up when it matters. The pusillanimous person stays quiet, doesn't get involved, waits for someone else to take a stand — not out of laziness, but out of fear.

Example Sentences

During market maelstroms, pusillanimous pundits note that the Cboe Volatility Index, or VIX, has spiked higher as if it’s a harbinger of the apocalypse.

From Barron's • Oct. 15, 2025

"It’s an unfortunate lost opportunity that speaks to the pusillanimous nature of Hollywood these days."

From Salon • Jul. 22, 2024

This is a remarkably pusillanimous way of framing the case.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2022

Edward Vernon — after whom the Washington family home, Mount Vernon, would be named — and the incompetent, pusillanimous Gen. Thomas Wentworth.

From Washington Post • Nov. 8, 2021

She almost feels sorry for him, the pusillanimous wretch.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline