1
as in weak
lacking strength of will or character
a spineless man who let his wife make all the decisions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cowardly
having or showing a shameful lack of courage
spineless seamen who trembled at the first roar of the cannon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spineless
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
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
Zuckerberg blasts Biden admin on Joe Rogan; Dave Portnoy calls CEO ‘spineless jellyfish’
Robby Soave and Lynda Tran react to Mark Zuckerberg’s appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
—The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
There are about 60 games left and plenty of time to make up that kind of ground, especially in the AL West against the spineless Mariners and after getting through the Astros last year.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 23 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025
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
Zuckerberg blasts Biden admin on Joe Rogan; Dave Portnoy calls CEO ‘spineless jellyfish’
Robby Soave and Lynda Tran react to Mark Zuckerberg’s appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
—The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
There are about 60 games left and plenty of time to make up that kind of ground, especially in the AL West against the spineless Mariners and after getting through the Astros last year.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 23 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for spineless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spineless
Adjective
-
Carbonaceous chondrites tend to be weaker and more crumbly than other meteorites, so these objects just don’t stand as much of a chance.—
Patrick M. Shober,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Then, McIlroy hit a weak drive to the right and was blocked by pines.—
Time,
Time,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Those who resort to violence to undermine our state and nation must be held accountable, and our state leaders must reinforce through decisive action that these cowardly attacks will not be tolerated.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2025
-
The cowardly capitulation of Paul Weiss and Skadden Arps are negative examples to be learned from.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
And the really jaw-dropping part of AMLO’s gutless abdication?—
Tim Padgett,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Aug. 2024
Adjective
-
Crafted from lightweight, sturdy beechwood, this pro-kneading, lymphatic-draining tool is designed with soft, rounded edges that make for comfy gliding across your skin (go ahead and pair it with a serum or lotion for extra slip).—
Allure,
Allure,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The women on board could soon be heard whooping in joy as three massive parachutes deployed after about nine minutes into the flight and the capsule made a soft landing two minutes later in the desert, sending up plumes of dust.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
If you’re seated at a gate where the next flight doesn’t leave for six hours, don’t be afraid to post up and get comfy.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Give it up for the queen of not being afraid to reference or not reference (but mostly reference).—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In the new showbiz comedy The Studio, Bryan Cranston has a recurring role as Griffin Mill, the craven movie executive played by Tim Robbins in the 1992 film The Player.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2025
-
In any event Marshall, a craven idiot, is a raucous, vulgar sendup of the bedrock American principle of Manifest Destiny.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Columbia University, through a thoroughly pusillanimous capitulation to a multi-million-dollar threat from the Trump administration, has put that conviction in the grave.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
That takes some fortitude, when world trade is on the verge of collapse, consumers are frightened and businesses can’t plan anything.—
William Baldwin,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Hearts Melt At Moment 'Shut Down' Foster Dog Decides To Trust New Family By Rachael O'Connor Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 Animal lovers' hearts have soared at the moment a frightened foster dog chose to trust the family in her new home.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spineless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spineless. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share