lily-livered

adjective

ˈli-lē-ˈli-vərd How to pronounce lily-livered (audio)
Definition of lily-liverednext
as in afraid
having or showing a shameful lack of courage the pacifist was mistakenly accused of being a lily-livered coward

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 lily-livered Contrary to the nationalist account, resistance has not generally been the result of America’s leaders being weak-kneed and lily-livered. — Ronald R. Krebs, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lily-livered
  1. afraid
  2. pusillanimous
  3. cowardly
  4. craven
  5. frightened
  6. spineless
  7. scared
  8. gutless
Adjective
  • Her patient, Maya, who is afraid of doctors and hospitals, squealed with excitement.
    — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Daly will play Helen Adler, a dedicated birder who’s not afraid to ruffle feathers when her flock is threatened.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • Some also have lost lawyers, dismayed by the pusillanimous behavior of their leaders.
    — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
  • The second believed the United States could attain comprehensive security through military-technological means and saw diplomacy as a quixotic or pusillanimous enterprise that dishonored and weakened the country.
    — A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of pusillanimous
Adjective
  • To know that a torture as violent as rape is about to happen ‘upstairs’ and not do ANYTHING ABOUT IT, is sick, cowardly and cold.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In the case stood the cowardly lion's costume from the original film The Wizard of Oz from 1938.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of cowardly
Adjective
  • Did my eyes widen, revealing a craven journalist ready to pounce on an exclusive?
    — Jason Sheeler, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026
  • She was especially hurt that some of the people who criticized Cox most harshly, dismissing him as craven and disingenuous, were those who had the closest relationships with him.
    — McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of craven
Adjective
  • The capital’s numerous skyscrapers amplified the sensation of movement, sending frightened residents into streets and open spaces.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, some of the frightened and wary passengers wondered about them and whether they could be trusted.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • While opponents treated Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham like punching bags, White hid behind spineless PR fluff instead of defending her stars.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Trump does not ask, but demands, and these spineless Republicans fall on their knees and yield to his wishes.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of spineless
Adjective
  • Many members of the public also described to reporters and on social media feeling intimidated, scared and harassed by heavily armed security guards hired by the film company to keep the public off streets closed for the movie set.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • More than anything, this adaptation feels scared of being too unlikable or scaring anyone too much.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • Forget about the networks, the streaming money is just going to continue to get bigger, especially at a time when there are almost as many pay channels as there are gutless members of Congress.
    — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Trump’s revenge tour also took down five Indiana state senators who had voted against the midterm gerrymandering to which Florida’s gutless Republicans have agreed.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Definition of gutless

Browse Nearby Words

lilts
lily-livered
lily-white
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Cite this Entry

“Lily-livered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lily-livered. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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