adj.
Function: adjective
Date: 1551
: being, resembling, or befitting a coward <a cowardly retreat>
– cow · ard · li · ness noun
synonyms COWARDLY , PUSILLANIMOUS , CRAVEN , DASTARDLY mean having or showing a lack of courage. COWARDLY implies a weak or ignoble lack of courage <a cowardly failure to stand up for principle>. PUSILLANIMOUS suggests a contemptible lack of courage <the pusillanimous fear of a future full of possibility>. CRAVEN suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance <secretly despised her own craven yes-men>. DASTARDLY often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous <a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians>.