spineless

American  

[spahyn-lis] / ˈspaɪn lɪs /

adjective

1. having no spines or quills.

2. having no spine or backbone.

3. having a weak spine; limp.

4. without moral force, resolution, or courage; feeble.

   a spineless, lily-livered coward.

   Synonyms:

   indecisive , irresolute , weak

   Antonyms:

   resolute , strong

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spineless British  

/ ˈspaɪnlɪs /

adjective

1. lacking a backbone; invertebrate

2. having no spiny processes

   spineless stems

3. lacking strength of character, resolution, or courage

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Other Word Forms

• spinelessly adverb
• spinelessness noun

Etymology

Origin of spineless

First recorded in 1820–30; spine + -less

Example Sentences

"God help us! She is spineless, shameless and completely aimless," Badenoch told MPs.

From BBC

I would argue it’s still with us today, and still urgent: Consider the spineless vacillation of Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer over whether to stand behind their own party’s mayoral nominee in their own city.

From Salon

House Speaker Mike Johnson has made the spineless, limp justification of these behaviors an art form.

From Los Angeles Times

She added: "Government has dishonoured every single Indian woman by allowing Taliban minister to exclude women journalists from presser. Shameful bunch of spineless hypocrites."

From BBC

"They make money from us and still dare to discriminate against Chinese people. We would be spineless if we don't boycott it out of China," another Weibo user said.

From BBC