1
as in weak
lacking strength of will or character
a spineless man who let his wife make all the decisions
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cowardly
having or showing a shameful lack of courage
spineless seamen who trembled at the first roar of the cannon
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Recent Examples of spineless
An erect, sprawling, and spineless cactus, the flowers are white, fragrant, and measure 12 inches long and 8 inches wide.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 June 2025
This is because her spineless boyfriend was with her on that bus and plane and sat 2 rows away.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 27 May 2025
Maybe, when seeing these mass rallies, spineless congressional Republicans might fear for their jobs more from the people than the dictator-in-chief.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
Matt and his direct reports quickly reveal themselves to be spineless, self-important, thin-skinned, and out of touch.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 June 2025
This is because her spineless boyfriend was with her on that bus and plane and sat 2 rows away.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 27 May 2025
Maybe, when seeing these mass rallies, spineless congressional Republicans might fear for their jobs more from the people than the dictator-in-chief.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
Matt and his direct reports quickly reveal themselves to be spineless, self-important, thin-skinned, and out of touch.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spineless
Adjective
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The ultrarich formula uses amino acids to reinforce weak strands, glycerin to hydrate and soften, silicones to smooth the cuticle, and coconut oil to add more moisture and shine.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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China’s economy showed further signs of weakness last month, with key data Monday revealing factory output and consumption rising at their weakest pace for around a year.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But the latest programming move by Disney should not just be seen as cowardly submission to an autocrat’s abuse of authority.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
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That’s exactly what Charlie’s cowardly assassin did.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These symptoms are more likely to appear in kittens or felines with weakened immune systems.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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While most healthy people can recover in four to seven days without treatment, some vulnerable people, like children under 5, adults 65 and older, and those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illness that requires medical treatment or hospitalization.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Listen, by doing it this way, with a press release instead of a press conference, Rose looks both gutless and gutty at the same time.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2025
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Two baseballs flew down toward the San Diego Padres’ Jurickson Profar from the left-field corner stands, the gutless moves of two cowards.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Athletique There is something edgy yet soft about a funnel-neck in a technical fabric—lean in and pair a wind- and water-resistant shell with trousers and sneakers for a touch of sport, or style it with a pencil skirt and kitten heels for a more feminine feel.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
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Swift wore Elson 4, the brand’s best-selling blue-red, but the bullet-proof formula comes in 12 beautiful hues ranging from a soft beige peach (Nude Cabaret) to a deep bronzed rose (Flesh 3).—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Beck has a fluid, quick throwing motion and isn’t afraid to fit the ball into tight windows.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Luckily, the 2025 Emmys shows us that, now more than ever, men aren’t afraid to show a little personality in their red carpet looks.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There are lots of good rebuttals to this craven move.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott is under severe pressure from President Donald Trump to restart one of the most craven and self-destructive practices of American politics in the 21st century: predatory gerrymandering.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Some also have lost lawyers, dismayed by the pusillanimous behavior of their leaders.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
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The second believed the United States could attain comprehensive security through military-technological means and saw diplomacy as a quixotic or pusillanimous enterprise that dishonored and weakened the country.—
A. Wess Mitchell,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spineless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spineless. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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