Spineless: meaning, definitions and examples

😔

Add to dictionary

spineless

[ˈspaɪn.ləs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

describing a person or animal

Lacking courage or strength; weak-willed.

Synonyms

cowardly, gutless, timid, weak.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spineless	Often used to describe someone who lacks courage or is easily swayed by others, implying a lack of integrity and moral fortitude. This term is quite negative. He is too spineless to stand up to his boss. Only a spineless person would betray their friends.
cowardly	Describes someone who is easily scared or shows a lack of bravery in the face of danger or difficulty. It is strongly negative and often used to criticize someone’s actions. Leaving your team when they need you is a cowardly act. She made a cowardly decision to run away instead of facing the consequences.
timid	Describes someone who is shy, hesitant, or lacks self-confidence, especially in social situations. It is less harsh than the other terms and can be used sympathetically. She was too timid to voice her concerns during the meeting. The timid child hid behind his mother when strangers approached.
weak	Can describe both physical and emotional strength. When referring to emotional or moral strength, it implies a lack of willpower or determination. The context determines whether it’s negative or neutral. His weak arguments couldn't convince the board. Feeling weak and exhausted, he decided to take a rest.
gutless	A very informal and pejorative term used to describe someone who lacks courage. It is strongly negative and often meant to deeply insult someone's bravery. He's just a gutless fool who can't take responsibility for his actions. It was a gutless retreat, everyone expected more from him.

Examples of usage

He's so spineless, he never stands up for himself.
The spineless leader failed to make any tough decisions.
She couldn't rely on her spineless friend when she needed support.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

describing a plant or animal

Lacking a spine or backbone.

Synonyms

boneless, invertebrate, soft-bodied.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spineless	This word is generally used to describe someone who lacks courage or determination. It has a negative connotation. He is too spineless to speak up for himself The spineless leader avoided taking any responsibility
boneless	This word is typically used in the context of food, specifically to describe meat or fish that have had the bones removed. It is neutral in its connotation. She ordered the boneless chicken wings Boneless fish fillets are easier to eat
soft-bodied	This phrase is commonly used in biology to describe organisms whose bodies are not protected by hard shells or exoskeletons. It is neutral and often used to describe certain types of invertebrates. Octopuses are soft-bodied animals Many soft-bodied invertebrates live in the ocean
invertebrate	This term is primarily used in biology to describe animals that do not have a backbone, such as insects, worms, and mollusks. It is neutral and used in scientific or educational contexts. Jellyfish are invertebrates The study of invertebrates is fascinating

Examples of usage

The jellyfish is a spineless creature.
Snakes are not considered spineless despite not having a traditional spine.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'spineless' combines 'spine' (the backbone) with the prefix 'less', meaning 'without'.
Originally, it described animals without a backbone, like jellyfish and worms, but it later referred to people who lack courage.

Psychology

People often correlated the idea of being 'spineless' with feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem.
Often linked to social anxiety, individuals might avoid confrontations or difficult situations, leading to their 'spineless' behavior.

Literature

Characters in novels that exhibit spineless traits often serve as an example of cowardice or moral weakness, contrasting with heroic figures.
In George Orwell's '1984', Winston Smith's struggles reflect a spineless society under totalitarian rule, depicting the effects of fear.

Pop Culture

The term is frequently used in modern media to critique politicians or public figures who avoid taking a strong stance on issues.
Animated shows often depict spineless characters as comic relief, exaggerating their lack of assertiveness for humor.

Cultural Variations

In some cultures, being described as spineless is a grave insult, indicating a person doesn't uphold family or societal expectations.
Conversely, in some contexts, the spinelessness can be seen as a way to avoid conflict, emphasizing peacekeeping.

Translations

Translations of the word "spineless" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sem espinha

🇮🇳 रीढ़हीन (Reedheen)

🇩🇪 rückgratlos

🇮🇩 tanpa tulang belakang

🇺🇦 безхребетний

🇵🇱 bezkręgowiec

🇯🇵 脊椎のない (sekitui no nai)

🇫🇷 sans épine dorsale

🇪🇸 sin columna vertebral

🇹🇷 omurgasız

🇰🇷 척추가 없는 (cheokchuga eomneun)

🇸🇦 بدون عمود فقري (bidoon 'umud fiqrii)

🇨🇿 bez páteře

🇸🇰 bez chrbtice

🇨🇳 无脊椎 (wú jǐzhuī)

🇸🇮 brez hrbtenice

🇮🇸 án hryggjar

🇰🇿 омыртқасыз

🇬🇪 უხერხემლო (ukherkhemlo)

🇦🇿 onurğasız

🇲🇽 sin columna vertebral

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,944 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

...
30941 bop
30942 gainsaid
30943 carborundum
30944 spineless
30945 neutrally
30946 bantering
30947 buttoning
...