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adjective

spineless

Spineless (adjective) means lacking courage or willpower; unable to stand up for oneself. Example: “The manager was too spineless to confront the problem employee.”

adjective
1
Lacking courage or willpower; unable to stand up for oneself.
"The manager was too spineless to confront the problem employee."
2
Having no spinal column, as in many invertebrate animals.
"Worms and jellyfish are spineless creatures."

How to use spineless

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCowardly and lacking backbone, or literally without a spine.

Common pairings
a spineless coward spineless invertebrates

Word forms

more spineless comparative, most spineless superlative

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The manager was too _____ to confront the problem employee.

Related words

Rhymes for spineless

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Frequently asked questions

What does “spineless” mean?

The word “spineless” means lacking courage or willpower; unable to stand up for oneself. In plain terms, cowardly and lacking backbone, or literally without a spine.

How do you use “spineless” in a sentence?

Here is “spineless” used in a sentence: “The manager was too spineless to confront the problem employee.”

What part of speech is “spineless”?

“Spineless” is an adjective.

How many meanings does “spineless” have?

“Spineless” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lacking courage or willpower; unable to stand up for oneself.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial