pusillanimous
Timid and spineless
Pusillanimous means lacking courage or resolution—timid in the face of challenge or danger.
The word carries a note of contempt, suggesting not just fearfulness but a smallness of spirit: The committee's pusillanimous response satisfied no one.
It's a formal, literary word, often chosen when *cowardly* seems too plain.
Contemptibly lacking nerve
- lily-liveredWeak and easily frightened
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- gutlessLacking bravery or nerve
- chicken-heartedLacking bravery or nerve
fainthearted · yellow · dastardly · poltroon · white-livered · cowering · quailing · tremulous
Showing nervous apprehension
- fearfulFull of fright
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
- skittishProne to nervous fright
jittery · trepidatious · quaking · shaky · trembling · frightened · scared · panic-stricken
Readily yielding to control
- docileEasily controlled or taught
- compliantYielding to others' wishes
- yieldingBending under pressure
- deferentialShowing humble submission
acquiescent · obedient · pliable · unassertive · passive · mild · retiring · diffident
craven
Contemptibly lacking nerve
- lily-liveredWeak and easily frightened
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- gutlessLacking bravery or nerve
chicken-hearted · fainthearted · yellow · dastardly · poltroon · white-livered · cowering · quailing · tremulous · shrinking
timorous
Showing nervous apprehension
- fearfulFull of fright
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
skittish · jittery · trepidatious · quaking · shaky · trembling · frightened · scared · panic-stricken · alarmed
submissive
Readily yielding to control
deferential · acquiescent · obedient · pliable · unassertive · passive · mild · retiring · diffident · self-effacing