1
as in weak
lacking strength of will or character
a spineless man who let his wife make all the decisions
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spineless
My candidacy is a symbol of the end of the weak-kneed, feckless Republican leadership of Mitch McConnell, and the spineless swamp jellyfish that are in the United States Senate representing the Republicans.
—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Because Republicans in Congress are spineless.
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Callum Sutherland,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Many Democrats, including progressives, said the move was spineless on Schumer’s part.
—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
30 Sep. 2025
Within hours — in what could only be described as a spineless and cowardly move — the network and those broadcasters took the bait and silenced him.
—
Jason Bailey,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Because Republicans in Congress are spineless.
—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Many Democrats, including progressives, said the move was spineless on Schumer’s part.
—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
30 Sep. 2025
Within hours — in what could only be described as a spineless and cowardly move — the network and those broadcasters took the bait and silenced him.
—
Jason Bailey,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spineless
Adjective
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Following a year of historically weak hiring in 2025, hiring rebounded this spring.
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In a weak free-agency class, centers Robert Williams III (Portland) and Mark Williams (Phoenix) are already off the market, each reportedly agreeing to return to their current teams.
Adjective
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Or maybe the problem is Cape Fear itself for being too cowardly to commit to the certainty that drove the previous versions of this story.
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But even the most perfect Constitution can be undone by the wicked with the help of the bought, the stupid, and the cowardly.
Adjective
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And while Creger still thought the bill was positive, she was disappointed to see the weakened language around adding lanes to highways.
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The weakened plants are more susceptible to insects and disease pests.
Adjective
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Keane called out the Red Wings as gutless for waiting for a home game to exact revenge.
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But this seems a lot more gutless than ruthless.
Adjective
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Play soft music to drown out fireworks blasts and give your pet something to do, like putting treats inside an interactive toy, to keep them calm and happy.
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This relaxed pick is incredibly soft, really cute, and surprisingly easy to style.
Adjective
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The ruling leaves trans student-athletes and their advocates feeling angry and afraid.
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Pregnant mothers are afraid of their babies not being able to have a home.
Adjective
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In 2024, The Onion purchased Infowars, the conspiracy website born of the craven lunatic/Sandy Hook shooting denier Alex Jones.
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It’s populated by craven, cowardly traitors.
Adjective
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Some also have lost lawyers, dismayed by the pusillanimous behavior of their leaders.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Spineless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spineless. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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