I. -lē adverb
Date: 14th century
: in a cowardly manner
II. 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