cravenly
In cowardly fashion
Cravenly means in a cowardly or contemptibly timid manner.
The word suggests not just fear but a shameful lack of courage—someone who cravenly avoids confrontation or cravenly abandons principles under pressure: He cravenly refused to testify on her behalf.
The adverb carries more contempt than simply "fearfully."
Lacking courage or determination
- dastardlyWicked and cowardly
- faintheartedCowardly, easily discouraged
- gutlessLacking bravery or nerve
- chickenheartedLacking bravery or nerve
lily-livered · yellow · recreant · spineless · weak-kneed · timorous · cringing · cowering
In docile manner
- obsequiouslyWith servile flattery
- servilelyIn subservient manner
- sycophanticallyWith servile flattery
- fawninglyWith servile flattery
groveling · bootlicking · toadying · kowtowing · deferentially · compliantly · acquiescently · docilely
Involuntary shaking motion
- quakingTrembling or shuddering
- frightenedExperiencing sudden fear
- terrifiedExtremely frightened
- panic-strickenOverwhelmed by intense fear
apprehensively · anxiously · nervously · timidly · shrinkingly · flinching · recoiling · shuddering
pusillanimous
Lacking courage or determination
- dastardlyWicked and cowardly
- faintheartedCowardly, easily discouraged
- gutlessLacking bravery or nerve
chickenhearted · lily-livered · yellow · recreant · spineless · weak-kneed · timorous · cringing · cowering · skulking
meekly
In docile manner
- obsequiouslyWith servile flattery
- servilelyIn subservient manner
- sycophanticallyWith servile flattery
fawningly · groveling · bootlicking · toadying · kowtowing · deferentially · compliantly · acquiescently · docilely · slavishly
trembling
Involuntary shaking motion
- quakingTrembling or shuddering
- frightenedExperiencing sudden fear
- terrifiedExtremely frightened
panic-stricken · apprehensively · anxiously · nervously · timidly · shrinkingly · flinching · recoiling · shuddering · tremulously
cravenlybravely
In a courageous manner
courageously · boldly · fearlessly · valiantly · heroically