pusillanimous

Advancedzipf 1.78

Pronunciation

/ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs/(pyoo-sih-LAN-ih-mus)

Part of speech

adjectiveformal

Chinese

胆小的；懦弱的

Definition

Showing a lack of courage or determination; timid.

Word family

  • pusillanimity/ˌpjuːsɪləˈnɪmɪti/(n)胆小

Collocations

  • pusillanimous response
  • pusillanimous leader
  • pusillanimous behavior
  • pusillanimous refusal

Examples

  1. 1.The committee's pusillanimous response to the crisis left the public outraged. (cowardly)
  2. 2.It would be pusillanimous to avoid speaking out against injustice merely to protect your career. (spineless)

Synonyms

  • cowardly/ˈkaʊədli/— lacking courage
  • timid/ˈtɪmɪd/— easily frightened
  • spineless/ˈspaɪnləs/— lacking backbone, informal

Etymology

from Latin "pusillanimis" — pusillus (very small) + animus (spirit) — having a very small spirit