UNGALLANT Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

ungallant

adjective

Definition of ungallant

as in timorous

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 ungallant Grubby, even criminal, tasks come easily to the unabashedly ungallant Sancho. — Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 The Times made ungallant references to Taft’s heft, and to the chief reason for his visit, to see his sister. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungallant

Adjective

The lesser among them, the timorous, the doubtful, and the wavering, stood back, watching, waiting for some greater sign, savoring their doubts.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
The great danger of that moment was that a political backlash — abetted by a furious media and timorous politicians — would lead to a restoration of the policy of Roe.

— The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025

Definition of timorous

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

Yes, Arsenal fan Neel from New Delhi held his nerve on the final day to shake off the persistent and heroic challenge of six-year-old Wilfred — and the meandering, distinctly unheroic challenge of a 51-year-old journalist.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 26 May 2026
That larger significance is remarkably unheroic and fatalistic.

— Gabriel Winslow-Yost, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

Definition of unheroic

Adjective

Lowen suspects that Verity (1) is telling the truth in her memoir and lying in the press footage online and (2) can actually walk and talk and is faking her illness for dastardly yet unclear reasons.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
The John Steinbeck saga gets an extended treatment, this time starring Florence Pugh as the dastardly Cathy Ames.

— David Morgan, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of dastardly

Adjective

As the trailer tells us, the pleasantly diffident Mona (Moore) is thrown way out of orbit following an audition for a musical show.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 June 2026
To strangers, Kay seemed demure, diffident, even shy, an impression her youthful appearance helped create.

— Charlotte Brooks, Big Think, 13 Mar. 2026

Definition of diffident

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

Browse Nearby Words

ungainly

ungallant

ungenerosity

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ungallant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungallant. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ungallant

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Luddite

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes