Craven: meaning, definitions and examples

character trait

Craven refers to someone who exhibits extreme cowardice or a lack of courage. It describes a person who is willing to avoid danger at all costs, often to the point of being morally weak. A craven individual may shrink from confrontation or difficult situations, showing a profound inability to face fear or adversity. The term can be used in both a literal and a figurative sense, often associated with someone who fails to stand up for what is right due to fear.

cowardly, fearful, pusillanimous, spineless, timid

Examples of usage

• His craven refusal to confront his problems only worsened the situation.

• The craven soldier fled the battlefield, leaving his comrades behind.

• Her craven behavior during the crisis disappointed her friends.

• They considered his craven actions a betrayal of their trust.