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Antonyms for cowardly

Grammar : Adj
Spell : kou-erd-lee
Phonetic Transcription : ˈkaʊ ərd li

Definition of cowardly

Origin :
  • 1550s, from coward + -ly (1). The adverb (late 14c.) is much older than the adjective:
  • Yit had I levir do what I may Than here to dye thus cowerdelye ["Le Morte d'Arthur," c.1450]
  • An Old English word for "cowardly" was earg, which also meant "slothful." Related: Cowardliness.
  • adj fearful
Example sentences :
  • I think it cowardly of you to say that I am to be held responsible.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • Its first war-cry was stifled back by the brutal and cowardly hand of Destiny.
  • Extract from : « My Double Life » by Sarah Bernhardt
  • His cowardly rages made them dread a shot in the back or poison in their coffee.
  • Extract from : « White Fang » by Jack London
  • Beauty Smith regained his feet and came toward him, sniffling and cowardly.
  • Extract from : « White Fang » by Jack London
  • He was as cowardly and wicked as Richard was brave and generous.
  • Extract from : « Introductory American History » by Henry Eldridge Bourne
  • He was a cowardly lad, whom fear of the Prussians drove into a fever.
  • Extract from : « A Zola Dictionary » by J. G. Patterson
  • It was cowardly of him to take advantage of his superior strength!
  • Extract from : « Nana, The Miller's Daughter, Captain Burle, Death of Olivier Becaille » by Emile Zola
  • The man was so contemptible; so unutterably low and 257 vile and cowardly.
  • Extract from : « Louisiana Lou » by William West Winter
  • What he had thought of would be too cowardly: besides, that child must be happy!
  • Extract from : « Fruitfulness » by Emile Zola
  • He was too cowardly, too voluptuous to risk his tranquillity.
  • Extract from : « Therese Raquin » by Emile Zola

Synonyms for cowardly

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019