gutless
Lacking any courage
Gutless means lacking courage or determination—cowardly.
The gut has long been associated with bravery and resolve, so to be gutless is to lack that inner fortitude: a gutless decision, too gutless to speak up.
The word carries contempt, implying not just fear but a fundamental weakness of character.
Contemptibly lacking nerve
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- lily-liveredWeak and easily frightened
- yellowHue between green and orange
- chicken-heartedLacking bravery or nerve
fainthearted · pusillanimous · dastardly · white-livered · unheroic · poltroon · recreant · quailing
Person lacking bravery
- chickenDomestic fowl for eating
- wimpTimid, feeble person
- weaklingFeeble person
- doormatEntry rug for wiping
sissy · pansy · wuss · pushover · milquetoast · scaredy-cat · fraidy-cat · candy-ass
Having no teeth
- impotentLacking power or efficacy
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- weakLacking power or force
feeble · limp · flaccid · wishy-washy · namby-pamby · half-hearted · uncommitted · irresolute
Humbly unassertive
- unassertiveNot forceful or bold
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
- diffidentLacking self-assurance
- timorousShowing nervous apprehension
mousy · sheepish · retiring · self-effacing · mild · passive · compliant · obsequious
craven
Contemptibly lacking nerve
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- lily-liveredWeak and easily frightened
- yellowHue between green and orange
chicken-hearted · fainthearted · pusillanimous · dastardly · white-livered · unheroic · poltroon · recreant · quailing · cowering
coward
Person lacking bravery
doormat · sissy · pansy · wuss · pushover · milquetoast · scaredy-cat · fraidy-cat · candy-ass · yellow-belly
toothless
Having no teeth
- impotentLacking power or efficacy
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
weak · feeble · limp · flaccid · wishy-washy · namby-pamby · half-hearted · uncommitted · irresolute · indecisive
meek
Humbly unassertive
- unassertiveNot forceful or bold
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
- diffidentLacking self-assurance
timorous · mousy · sheepish · retiring · self-effacing · mild · passive · compliant · obsequious · servile
gutlessbrave
Showing courage despite fear
courageous · gutsy · fearless · bold · valiant
gutlessresolute
Fixed in purpose
determined · strong · steadfast · stout · principled
- gutless wonderNotably brave-free individual