pusillanimity

Examples

• All

• Her adherents like to blame this on the moral pusillanimity and irrationality of the readers.

  Blog text (14)

• Failure on their part to demand the highest acclaim was a mark of weakness and pusillanimity.

  Academic text (1993)

• Victor's pusillanimity exemplifies the anxiety of an aging man obliged to husband his physical resources.

  Academic text (2003)

• I want to turn back right now!" Achmed turned to her, and now his face was ugly with machismo, self-pride, hatred, bad faith, as well as a touch of pusillanimity.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Castelvetro uses a similar vocabulary of medical terms to express Aristotle's counterargument: "By frequently exposing men to scenes of a kind to excite their pity, fear, and pusillanimity, tragedy will fortify them against these weaknesses....

  Academic text (2004)

• His pusillanimity prevented him from standing up for what he believed in, leaving him feeling regretful.

• The pusillanimity displayed by the team during crucial moments of the game cost them the championship.

• The politician's pusillanimity in the face of criticism reflected a lack of true leadership qualities.

Synonyms

C

cowardice

vspusillanimity

46 5.5

Lack of courage to face danger or difficulty

adds the idea that this lack is contemptible rather than neutral

C

cowardliness

vspusillanimity

1 6.6

Lack of courage when facing danger or difficulty

frames that same fearfulness as contemptible or blameworthy

P

pusillanimousness

vspusillanimity

• Formal

9.9

A lack of courage that makes a person afraid to act

is the same lack of courage but seen as contemptible

P

poltroonery

vspusillanimity

• Archaic

9.9

A complete lack of courage that makes someone act shamefully

is the same failing but not necessarily as extreme or total

C

cravenness

vspusillanimity

• Formal

9.9

A shameful fear that makes a person avoid danger and refuse to stand up for others

covers lack of courage more generally without the mean tone

T

timorousness

vspusillanimity

9.3

A strong fear of trying new things or meeting new people

contrasts by implying a contemptible, blameworthy lack of courage instead

Antonyms

C

courage

∞ 1.4

Doing something even if you feel afraid or are in danger

B

bravery

104 2.3

A person's willingness to face danger or pain without fear

How Courageous

heroism

57 4.2

bravery

104 2.3

pusillanimity

• Offensive

1 9.9

cowardice

46 5.5

timidity

7 5.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology