pusillanimous

[pyoo-suh-lan-uh-muhs]

adjective

1. lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.

   Synonyms: frightened, fearful, timorous

2. proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit.

pusillanimous

/ ˌpjuːsɪləˈnɪmɪtɪ, ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs /

adjective

1. characterized by a lack of courage or determination

Other Word Forms

• pusillanimously adverb
• pusillanimity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pusillanimous¹

1580–90; < Late Latin pusillanimis petty-spirited, equivalent to Latin pusill ( us ) very small, petty + -anim ( is ) -spirited, -minded ( anim ( us ) spirit + -is adj. suffix); -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of pusillanimous¹

C16: from Late Latin pusillanimis from Latin pusillus weak + animus courage

Example Sentences

It wasn’t entirely free of the pusillanimous approach he has taken thus far to Kennedy’s regime, however.

From Los Angeles Times

Some also have lost lawyers, dismayed by the pusillanimous behavior of their leaders.

From Los Angeles Times

Columbia University, through a thoroughly pusillanimous capitulation to a multimillion-dollar threat from the Trump administration, has put that conviction in the grave.

From Los Angeles Times

"It’s an unfortunate lost opportunity that speaks to the pusillanimous nature of Hollywood these days."

From Salon

The vice president had a reputation for being President Nixon’s attack dog and skewering political opponents as “nattering nabobs of negativism,” “vicars of vacillation” and “pusillanimous pussyfooters.”

From Seattle Times