Spineless — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈspīn-ləs/ spine·less

Meaning & Definition of Spineless

Spineless (adjective)

  1. free from spines, thorns, or prickles
  2. having no spinal column, invertebrate
  3. lacking strength of character

Spineless (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lacking strength of will or character

    "a spineless man who let his wife make all the decisions"

    similar: characterless, effete, frail, invertebrate, limp-wristed, milk-and-water, namby-pamby, nerveless, soft, weak, weak-kneed, weakened, weakling, wet (British), wimpish, wimpy, wishy-washy
    related: flabby, flaccid, forceless, ineffective, ineffectual, impotent, impuissant, powerless, emasculated, unnerved, lamblike, meek, pliable, submissive, corrupt, dastardly, unprincipled, unscrupulous, villainous, cowardly, craven, fainthearted, lily-livered, nebbishy, poltroon, pusillanimous, sissy, timid, infirm, irresolute, vacillating
    opposite: backboned, firm, hard, strong, tough
    near: ethical, good, moral, principled, right, righteous, upright, virtuous, determined, mettlesome, resolute, unrelenting, courageous, stalwart, stouthearted

  2. having or showing a shameful lack of courage

    "spineless seamen who trembled at the first roar of the cannon"

    similar: chicken, chicken-livered, chickenhearted, cowardly, craven, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered (archaic), poltroon, pusillanimous, recreant, unheroic, yellow
    related: diffident, fainthearted, fearful, timid, timorous, afraid, frightened, scared, careful, cautious, wary, bashful, coy, shy, feeble, soft, unmanly, weak
    opposite: brave, courageous, daring, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, hardy, heroic, intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, valiant, valorous
    near: audacious, bold, brazen, cheeky, nervy, plucky, spirited, spunky, determined, resolute

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Spineless

The most common words with a similar meaning to Spineless:

British: wet
Archaic: milk-livered
characterless, effete, frail, invertebrate, limp-wristed, milk-and-water, namby-pamby, nerveless, soft, weak, weak-kneed, weakened, weakling, wimpish, wimpy, wishy-washy, chicken, chicken-livered, chickenhearted, cowardly, craven, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered, poltroon, pusillanimous, recreant, unheroic, yellow

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Spineless

Words with the opposite meaning of Spineless:

backboned, firm, hard, strong, tough, brave, courageous, daring, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, hardy, heroic, intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, valiant, valorous

Related Words for Spineless

flabby, flaccid, forceless, ineffective, ineffectual, impotent, impuissant, powerless, emasculated, unnerved, lamblike, meek, pliable, submissive, corrupt, unprincipled, unscrupulous, villainous, fainthearted, nebbishy, sissy, timid, infirm, irresolute, vacillating, diffident, fearful, timorous, afraid, frightened

Near Antonyms of Spineless

ethical, good, moral, principled, right, righteous, upright, virtuous, determined, mettlesome, resolute, unrelenting, audacious, bold, brazen, cheeky, nervy, plucky, spirited, spunky

Word Forms of Spineless

Derived words: spinelessly (adverb), spinelessness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Spineless

First known use: 1827

Frequently Asked Questions about Spineless

What does "Spineless" mean?

"Spineless" means free from spines, thorns, or prickles. As an adjective, it is defined as: free from spines, thorns, or prickles. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Spineless"?

Other words for "Spineless" include characterless, effete, frail, invertebrate, limp-wristed, milk-and-water, namby-pamby and nerveless. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Spineless" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Spineless"?

There are 70 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Spineless". Common alternatives include characterless, effete, frail, invertebrate, limp-wristed, milk-and-water, namby-pamby, nerveless, soft and weak.

What is the opposite of "Spineless"?

Antonyms of "Spineless" include backboned, firm, hard, strong, tough, brave, courageous and daring. Near antonyms include ethical, good, moral and principled.

How do you use "Spineless" in a sentence?

Examples of "Spineless" in a sentence: "a spineless man who let his wife make all the decisions"; "spineless seamen who trembled at the first roar of the cannon".

Is "Spineless" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Spineless" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Spineless"?

"Spineless" is pronounced /ˈspīn-ləs/ and divided into syllables as spine·less.

What is the origin of the word "Spineless"?

First known use: 1827.