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View synonyms for pusillanimous

pusillanimous

[ pyoo-suh-lan-uh-muhs ]

adjective

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

    Synonyms: frightened, fearful, timorous

  2. proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit.


pusillanimous

/ ˌpjuːsɪləˈnɪmɪtɪ; ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs /

adjective

  1. characterized by a lack of courage or determination
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • pusillanimity, noun
  • ˌpusilˈlanimously, adverb
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Other Words From

  • pusil·lani·mous·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pusillanimous1

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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pusillanimous1

C16: from Late Latin pusillanimis from Latin pusillus weak + animus courage
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Example Sentences

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

From Salon

The vice president had a reputation for being President Nixon’s attack dog and skewering political opponents as “nattering nabobs of negativism,” “vicars of vacillation” and “pusillanimous pussyfooters.”

Donald Trump is that man; a power-craving hunter-gatherer con artist out to stake his claim as a modern-day potentate while imbued with the pusillanimous power of a puff pastry.

From Salon

This is a remarkably pusillanimous way of framing the case.

Did he gouge out the eyes of the pusillanimous Emperor Michael V?

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