as in afraid
having or showing a shameful lack of courage
pusillanimous politicians who vote according to whichever way the political wind is blowing
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Recent Examples of pusillanimous
There was no fanfare — indeed no announcement or change in Oscar rules — but a firestorm of controversy resulted, followed by the Academy’s cowardly, pusillanimous silence on the issue.
—
Armond White, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025
Mark Kelly Americans who are rightfully appalled by the pusillanimous response to anti-Semitism on college campuses have been pulling their donations and calling for restrictions on anti-Israel student groups.
—Arthur Levitt, WSJ, 12 Nov. 2023
Those clumsy tales revealed Chazelle’s pusillanimous career ambitions.
—Armond White, National Review, 13 Jan. 2023
This is a remarkably pusillanimous way of framing the case.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2022
This book should—but won’t—be read by Joe Biden’s national security team, not to mention the pusillanimous leaders of Germany and France.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022
His pusillanimous and fraudulent conduct must be stopped.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 8 July 2022
Where the president should be direct and full-throated, Biden has been, at best, indirect and pusillanimous.
—The Editors, National Review, 12 May 2022
Rifkin’s story should rage against the pusillanimous like Roth and the hero of Look Back in Anger.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 Feb. 2022
Armond White, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025
Mark Kelly Americans who are rightfully appalled by the pusillanimous response to anti-Semitism on college campuses have been pulling their donations and calling for restrictions on anti-Israel student groups.
—Arthur Levitt, WSJ, 12 Nov. 2023
Those clumsy tales revealed Chazelle’s pusillanimous career ambitions.
—Armond White, National Review, 13 Jan. 2023
This is a remarkably pusillanimous way of framing the case.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2022
This book should—but won’t—be read by Joe Biden’s national security team, not to mention the pusillanimous leaders of Germany and France.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022
His pusillanimous and fraudulent conduct must be stopped.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 8 July 2022
Where the president should be direct and full-throated, Biden has been, at best, indirect and pusillanimous.
—The Editors, National Review, 12 May 2022
Rifkin’s story should rage against the pusillanimous like Roth and the hero of Look Back in Anger.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 Feb. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pusillanimous
Adjective
-
In that moment, McConaughey exemplified a leader who isn’t afraid to embrace vulnerability—a trait that can foster trust and authenticity in any leadership role.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Don’t be afraid to geek out: The happiest people don’t play it cool.—
Jessica Weiss, Contributor,
CNBC,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Fresh off a terrifying election cycle that feels like a fever dream (or the most craven Ryan Murphy series), America in 2025 is downright disorienting.—
Christopher Rosa,
Glamour,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Trump has already turned a national tragedy into a craven, baseless political attack by blaming DEI programs at the FAA and past administrations.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Two beloved members of the Tijuana journalism community were killed in two separate cowardly attacks.—
Tania Navarro,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Playing Switzerland is a dangerous game for a Housewife — never choosing a side is seen as a cowardly position that quickly wears thin.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And this week, there’s a very nice sequence in which Matty walks a frightened Zoey, step-by-step, through what to expect when she gets arrested.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Igor tries to subdue Ani, who's frightened and enraged, kicking and screaming at the prospect of being separated from her new husband.—
Mandalit del Barco,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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And the really jaw-dropping part of AMLO’s gutless abdication?—
Tim Padgett,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Aug. 2024
-
Two baseballs flew down toward the San Diego Padres’ Jurickson Profar from the left-field corner stands, the gutless moves of two cowards.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Musk and Trump must be stopped before more Americans are killed, and only those spineless Republicans in Congress can stop them.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2025
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His spineless vice president and defense secretary then echoed Trump’s garbage.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And people who are scared are less likely to want to stay here.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
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For people fresh out of school, my advice as a lawyer is, don’t be scared to seek counsel but above all, don’t be scared to ask for things.—
Joelle Diderich,
WWD,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The look features bright coral eyeshadow covering the eyelid, a fuchsia shade in the crease, and a swipe of fluorescent yellow eyeliner on the outside half of the eye and right under the brow.—
Andrea Park,
Teen Vogue,
20 July 2017
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In addition to selling yellow mustard and hot sauce, the division makes ketchup, onion flavorings and other products.—
Nick Turner,
Bloomberg.com,
19 July 2017
Articles Related to pusillanimous
Cite this Entry
“Pusillanimous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pusillanimous. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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