| 释义 |
View usage for: (spaɪnləs) adjectiveIf you say that someone is spineless, you mean that they are afraid to take action or oppose people when they should. [disapproval] ...bureaucrats and spineless politicians. Synonyms: weak, soft, cowardly, ineffective More Synonyms of spineless spineless in British English (ˈspaɪnlɪs) adjective1. lacking a backbone; invertebrate 2. having no spiny processes spineless stems 3. lacking strength of character, resolution, or courage Derived forms spinelessly (ˈspinelessly) adverb spinelessness (ˈspinelessness) noun spineless in American English (ˈspaɪnlɪs) adjective1. having no backbone; invertebrate 2. having a weak or flexible backbone 3. lacking courage, resistance, willpower, etc. 4. without spines, or thorny processes Derived forms spinelessly (ˈspinelessly) adverb spinelessness (ˈspinelessness) noun Examples of 'spineless' in a sentencespineless Definition behaving in a cowardly way bureaucrats and spineless politicians Synonyms submissive squeamish vacillating boneless weak-kneed (informal) spiritless chickenshit (US, slang) lily-livered without a will of your own Opposites strong , brave , bold , courageous , gritty , strong-willed , ballsy (taboo, slang) Additional synonymsI was too cowardly to complain. Synonyms faint-hearted, scared, spineless, gutless (informal), base, soft, yellow (informal), weak, chicken (slang), shrinking, fearful, craven, abject, dastardly (old-fashioned), boneless, timorous (literary), weak-kneed (informal), pusillanimous, chickenshit (US, slang), recreant (archaic), caitiff (archaic), chicken-hearted, lily-livered (old-fashioned), white-livered, sookie (New Zealand) Definition lacking courage and confidence The voters may be ready to punish the politicians who devised a faint-hearted solidarity pact. Synonyms timid, weak, cowardly, diffident, spineless, boneless, timorous (literary), irresolute, half-arsed (British, slang), chickenshit (US, slang), half-assed (US, Canadian, slang), half-hearted, yellow (informal) Definition not effective or convincing He said the Government had been feeble. Synonyms inadequate, weak, pathetic, insufficient, incompetent, ineffective, inefficient, lame, insignificant, ineffectual, indecisive- spindly
- spine
- spine-chilling
- spineless
- spinney
- spiny
- spiral
Additional synonymsDefinition lacking courage or determination He has proved himself to be a gutless coward. Synonyms faint-hearted, weak, cowardly, chicken (slang), craven, feeble, timid, abject, submissive, spineless, boneless, irresolute, chickenshit (US, slang), lily-liveredDefinition not good enough She felt quite painfully inadequate in the crisis. Synonyms incapable, incompetent, ineffective, weak, pathetic, faulty, unfitted, unfit, defective, unequal, inept, deficient, imperfect, unqualified, not up to scratch (informal), inexpert, inapt, found wanting Definition having no effect or an inadequate effect They are burdened with an ineffective leader. Synonyms inefficient, inadequate, useless (informal), poor, weak, pathetic, powerless, unfit, feeble, worthless, inept, impotent, ineffectualDefinition unable to make decisions They launched the attack for fear of seeming irresolute. Synonyms indecisive, weak, hesitating, doubtful, unsettled, unstable, tentative, wavering, hesitant, undecided, fickle, unsteady, infirm, vacillating, in two minds, undetermined, half-arsed (British, slang), half-assed (US, Canadian, slang), half-heartedSynonyms base, yellow (informal), scared, chicken (slang), cowardly, fearful, craven, timid, abject, spineless, boneless, gutless (informal), timorous, pusillanimous (formal), faint-hearted, yellow-bellied (slang), chickenshit (US, slang), chicken-hearted Definition distressingly inadequate That's the most pathetic excuse I've ever heard. Synonyms inadequate, useless, feeble, poor, sorry, wet (British, informal), pants (informal), miserable, petty, worthless, meagre, pitiful, woeful, deplorable, lamentable, trashy, measly (informal), crummy (slang), crappy (slang), rubbishy, poxy (slang), wanky (taboo, slang), chickenshit (US, slang) Definition kind or lenient, often to excess He says the measure is soft and weak on criminals. Synonyms lenient, easy-going, lax, liberal, weak, indulgent, permissive, spineless, boneless, overindulgent He is too weak-willed to stop smoking. Synonyms irresolute, soft, feeble, indecisive, infirm, spineless, wimpish (informal), weak-kneed (informal), feeble-minded, namby-pamby, weak-minded, wussy (slang) Definition cowardly or afraid You yellow dogs! Synonyms cowardly, spineless, gutless, chicken (informal), craven, faint-hearted, yellow-bellied (informal), lily-livered |