spineless
Americanadjective
-
having no spines or quills.
-
having no spine or backbone.
-
having a weak spine; limp.
-
without moral force, resolution, or courage; feeble.
a spineless, lily-livered coward.
- Synonyms:
- indecisive, irresolute, weak
adjective
-
lacking a backbone; invertebrate
-
having no spiny processes
spineless stems
-
lacking strength of character, resolution, or courage
Other Word Forms
- spinelessly adverb
- spinelessness noun
Etymology
Origin of spineless
Explanation
If you're spineless, you're weak or cowardly — or both. It would be spineless to watch a bully pick on someone much smaller and not try to intervene. You can certainly use this adjective to literally mean "lacking a spine," and you might if you're talking about invertebrates like the spineless forest lizard or the Garo spineless eel. It's more common to call people spineless as a derogatory way of commenting on their weakness. A spineless superhero is too scared to confront the bad guys, and a spineless politician avoids conversation with critical constituents.
Vocabulary lists containing spineless
"The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Nim's Island
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Part 2 Vocabulary (Unit 4)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Maybe people do it out of desperation,” she told me, “but it’s spineless and demoralizing.”
From Slate • Jan. 20, 2026
David Jones, president of the Institute of Construction Management, says the guidance for multi-storey residential buildings is "loose", "spineless" and "open to interpretation".
From BBC • Dec. 24, 2025
As per Margaret Hartmann with New York Magazine's Intelligencer, the gift is "peak spineless groveling."
From Salon • Jan. 15, 2025
But they and other invertebrates are the spineless backbones of ecosystems, playing critical roles as pollinators, predators, prey and decomposers.
From New York Times • May 28, 2024
A newspaper that only looks at the soft and gentle side of things is like a jellyfish, floppy and spineless.
From "The Landry News" by Andrew Clements
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
