Cowardice Meaning
/ˈkaʊədɪs/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounLack of courage.
Sentence Examples
He always shows cowardice.
He was accused of cowardice.
A tactical retreat is sometimes interpreted as cowardice.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ during the crisis caused the team to lose all hope.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He always shows ____.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English cowardise, borrowed from Anglo-Norman cuardise (modern French couardise).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The ſecond property of your excellent ſherris, is the vvarming of the blood, vvhich before (cold & ſetled) left the lyuer vvhite & pale, vvhich is the badge of puſilanimitie and covvardize: but the ſherris vvarmes it, and makes it courſe from the invvards to the partes extreames, […]"
— c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Second Part of Henrie the Fourth, […], quarto edition, London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley, published 1600, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii]:
"Jem’s head at times was transparent: he had thought that up to make me understand he wasn’t afraid of Radleys in any shape or form, to contrast his own fearless heroism with my cowardice."
— 1960 July 11, Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, Philadelphia, Pa.; New York, N.Y.: J[oshua] B[allinger] Lippincott Company, →OCLC:
"[Ilhan] Omar was left twisting in the wind earlier this year after facing spurious charges of antisemitism, a display of Democratic cowardice co-signed by Chelsea Clinton, Chuck Schumer, and most every other Democrat with a congressional leadership position."
— 2019 July 19, Noah Kulwin, “Democrats Fail the Left, Once Again”, in Jewish Currents:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ during the crisis caused the team to lose all hope.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He always shows ____.