chickenheartedness
Lack of courage
Chickenheartedness is the quality of being cowardly or easily frightened.
The word draws on the folk notion that chickens are timid, flighty creatures.
It's slightly old-fashioned and often used to shame someone into action: Don't let chickenheartedness keep you from asking her out.
Full of fright
- timidLacking courage or confidence
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
quaking · frightened · panicky · terrified · alarmed · nervous · jittery · spooked
Without bravery or nerve
- cravenContemptibly lacking nerve
- pusillanimousLacking courage or determination
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- gutlessLacking bravery or nerve
fainthearted · yellow-bellied · lily-livered · white-livered · timorous · dastardly · poltroon · milksop
Slow to act
- irresoluteLacking firmness of purpose
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
faltering · dithering · waffling · uncommitted · tentative · uncertain · diffident · insecure
fearful
Full of fright
- timidLacking courage or confidence
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
trembling · quaking · frightened · panicky · terrified · alarmed · nervous · jittery · spooked · skittish
cowardly
Without bravery or nerve
- cravenContemptibly lacking nerve
- pusillanimousLacking courage or determination
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
gutless · fainthearted · yellow-bellied · lily-livered · white-livered · timorous · dastardly · poltroon · milksop · weakling
hesitant
Slow to act
- irresoluteLacking firmness of purpose
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
vacillating · faltering · dithering · waffling · uncommitted · tentative · uncertain · diffident · insecure · unassertive
chickenheartednessbravery
Boldness before danger
courage · fearlessness · valor · lionheartedness · boldness
chicken, chickens, heart, hearts, hearted, hearten, heartened, heartening, dishearten