pusillanimously
In cowardly fashion
Pusillanimously means in a cowardly or timid manner, showing a lack of courage or resolve: He pusillanimously backed down from the confrontation.
The word carries contempt—not just fearful, but contemptibly so, suggesting someone who shrinks from challenges they ought to face.
In fearful, hesitant fashion
- cravenlyIn cowardly manner
- faintheartedlyIn a fearful manner
- yellow-belliedEasily frightened, timid
- weaklyWithout much force
feebly · tremblingly · shrinkingly · fearfully · timorously · nervously · apprehensively · hesitantly
With self-doubt
- bashfullyIn a shy manner
- sheepishlyIn a self-conscious way
- self-effacinglyIn unassuming fashion
- reticentlyIn an uncommunicative manner
mousy · ineffectually · weakly · tamely · mildly · softly · quietly · insecurely
In docile manner
- subservientlyIn a submissive manner
- obsequiouslyWith servile flattery
- servilelyIn subservient manner
- deferentiallyWith respectful yielding
compliantly · obediently · docilely · slavishly · sycophantically · fawningly · groveling · acquiescently
timidly
In fearful, hesitant fashion
- cravenlyIn cowardly manner
- faintheartedlyIn a fearful manner
- yellow-belliedEasily frightened, timid
weakly · feebly · tremblingly · shrinkingly · fearfully · timorously · nervously · apprehensively · hesitantly · falteringly
diffidently
With self-doubt
- bashfullyIn a shy manner
- sheepishlyIn a self-conscious way
- self-effacinglyIn unassuming fashion
reticently · mousy · ineffectually · weakly · tamely · mildly · softly · quietly · insecurely · tentatively
meekly
In docile manner
- subservientlyIn a submissive manner
- obsequiouslyWith servile flattery
- servilelyIn subservient manner
deferentially · compliantly · obediently · docilely · slavishly · sycophantically · fawningly · groveling · acquiescently · passively
pusillanimouslybravely
In a courageous manner
courageously · boldly · fearlessly · dauntlessly · valiantly