COWARDLY , PUSILLANIMOUS , CRAVEN , DASTARDLY

COWARDLY , PUSILLANIMOUS , CRAVEN ,
DASTARDLY mean having or showing a lack of courage. COWARDLY implies a weak or ignoble lack of courage. ⟨
⟩ PUSILLANIMOUS suggests a contemptible lack of courage. ⟨
⟩ CRAVEN suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance.

⟩ DASTARDLY often implies behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking or outrageous. ⟨
⟩
a cowardly failure to stand up for principle
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the pusillanimous fear of a future full of possibility
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secretly despised her own craven yes-men
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a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians