cowardice

Everyday

1. Cowardice is a lack of courage: being too afraid to do what is right or what is needed. tree →
2. A shameful act done because of fear. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and ethics it is the opposite of bravery; it tells the reader a character let others down out of fear. Discussions note that feeling fear is not cowardice; letting fear stop you doing right can be. Phrases: «an act of cowardice», «accuse of cowardice».

Examples

• Running away and leaving his friend was an act of cowardice. tree →
• The knight was ashamed of his cowardice. tree →
• It isn't cowardice to walk away from a fight. tree →
• She overcame her cowardice and told the truth. tree →
• Bullying a smaller child is a kind of cowardice. tree →
• The soldier was accused of cowardice. tree →
• That’s the worst kind of cowardice,” said the troop-horse. “Anybody can be forgiven for being scared in the night, I think, if they see things they don’t understand. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Related: «coward» (a person), «cowardly» (adjective, not an adverb: «a cowardly act»). Spelling: cowardice ends in -ice. Being sensible about danger is not cowardice.