faintheart
One who hesitates
A faintheart is someone who lacks courage or resolve—a timid person who shrinks from difficulty or danger.
The word is slightly literary and often appears in the phrase no place for the faintheart, warning that something requires boldness.
The related adjective fainthearted describes this quality of timidity.
Contemptibly lacking nerve
- pusillanimousLacking courage or determination
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- chickenheartedLacking bravery or nerve
- lily-liveredWeak and easily frightened
poltroon · dastardly · yellow · recreant · gutless · white-livered · unheroic · cowardice
Reserved and retiring
- meekHumbly unassertive
- bashfulUncomfortably self-conscious
- diffidentLacking self-assurance
- retiringLeaving the workforce
reserved · unassertive · self-effacing · mousy · mild · submissive · introverted · withdrawn
Lacking firmness of purpose
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
uncertain · doubtful · dithering · faltering · halting · shilly-shallying · equivocating · ambivalent
Having lost heart
- crestfallenSad from disappointment
- dejectedLow in spirits
- downcastSad or despondent
- despondentDeeply discouraged, hopeless
demoralized · crushed · defeated · hopeless · dismayed · pessimistic · despairing · resigned
craven
Contemptibly lacking nerve
- pusillanimousLacking courage or determination
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- chickenheartedLacking bravery or nerve
lily-livered · poltroon · dastardly · yellow · recreant · gutless · white-livered · unheroic · cowardice · yellow-bellied
shy
Reserved and retiring
retiring · reserved · unassertive · self-effacing · mousy · mild · submissive · introverted · withdrawn · inhibited
irresolute
Lacking firmness of purpose
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
tentative · uncertain · doubtful · dithering · faltering · halting · shilly-shallying · equivocating · ambivalent · unsure
dispirited
Having lost heart
- crestfallenSad from disappointment
- dejectedLow in spirits
- downcastSad or despondent
despondent · demoralized · crushed · defeated · hopeless · dismayed · pessimistic · despairing · resigned · disillusioned
- cowardscoward, chicken, wimp, milquetoast, poltroon
faintheartdaredevil
Reckless risk-taker
hero · brave soul · lion · warrior · adventurer