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Cowardice: meaning, definitions and examples

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cowardice

 

[ ˈkaʊərdɪs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

showing fear or timidity

Cowardice is the lack of courage in the face of danger or difficulty. It is the act of being easily frightened or intimidated. Cowardice is often associated with avoiding confrontation or taking risks.

Synonyms

fearfulness, pusillanimity, timidity

Examples of usage

  • He was criticized for his cowardice in refusing to stand up to the bully.
  • Her cowardice prevented her from speaking up against injustice.
  • The soldier was awarded for his bravery in battle, contrasting with the cowardice of those who fled.

Translations

Translations of the word "cowardice" in other languages:

🇵🇹 covardia

🇮🇳 कायरता

🇩🇪 Feigheit

🇮🇩 pengecutan

🇺🇦 боягузтво

🇵🇱 tchórzostwo

🇯🇵 臆病 (okubyō)

🇫🇷 lâcheté

🇪🇸 cobardía

🇹🇷 korkaklık

🇰🇷 겁 (geop)

🇸🇦 جبن (jubun)

🇨🇿 zbabělost

🇸🇰 zbabelosť

🇨🇳 懦弱 (nuòruò)

🇸🇮 strahopetnost

🇮🇸 hugleysi

🇰🇿 қорқақтық

🇬🇪 ლაჩრობა (lachroba)

🇦🇿 qorxaqlıq

🇲🇽 cobardía

Etymology

The word 'cowardice' originated from the Old French word 'couard' meaning 'coward'. The term has been used since the 14th century to describe the lack of courage or bravery. Throughout history, cowardice has been viewed negatively in many cultures, often associated with dishonor or weakness.

See also: cowardly.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,534, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.