Spinelessness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈspīn-ləs/ spine·less

Meaning & Definition of Spinelessness

Spinelessness (adjective)

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

Spinelessness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the quality or state of lacking strength of will or character

    "the spinelessness that the grown woman has shown in dealing with her overbearing mother"

    similar: frailness, frailty, softness, weakness, wimpiness, wimpishness, wishy-washiness
    related: collapse, failing, flaw, foible, peccadillo, evil, immorality, wickedness, corruption, corruptness
    opposite: backbone, chutzpah, firmness, fortitude, hardihood, mettle, moxie, nerve, resoluteness, strength, toughness
    near: discipline, self-discipline, goodness, integrity, morality, rectitude, righteousness, rightness, uprightness, virtuousness

  2. a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger

    "charged the midshipman with sickening spinelessness under fire"

    similar: cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, gutlessness, poltroonery, pusillanimity
    related: diffidence, faintheartedness, fearfulness, timidity, timorousness, carefulness, cautiousness, wariness, bashfulness, shyness, feebleness, softness, weakness
    opposite: bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, guts, hardihood, heart, heroism, intrepidity, intrepidness, nerve, stoutness, valiance, valor, virtue
    near: audacity, boldness, brazenness, backbone, fiber, fortitude, grit, gumption, mettle, pluck, spunk, determination, perseverance, resolution, endurance, stamina, tenacity

Related Entry: Spineless (adjective)

Spineless is a different word from Spinelessness. The synonyms below are for spineless, not for spinelessness.

  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 Spinelessness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Spinelessness:

frailness, frailty, softness, weakness, wimpiness, wimpishness, wishy-washiness, cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, gutlessness, poltroonery, pusillanimity

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Spinelessness

Words with the opposite meaning of Spinelessness:

backbone, chutzpah, firmness, fortitude, hardihood, mettle, moxie, nerve, resoluteness, strength, toughness, bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, guts, heart, heroism, intrepidity, intrepidness, stoutness, valiance, valor, virtue

Related Words for Spinelessness

collapse, failing, flaw, foible, peccadillo, evil, immorality, wickedness, corruption, corruptness, diffidence, faintheartedness, fearfulness, timidity, timorousness, carefulness, cautiousness, wariness, bashfulness, shyness, feebleness

Near Antonyms of Spinelessness

discipline, self-discipline, goodness, integrity, morality, rectitude, righteousness, rightness, uprightness, virtuousness, audacity, boldness, brazenness, fiber, grit, gumption, pluck, spunk, determination, perseverance, resolution, endurance, stamina, tenacity

Word Forms of Spinelessness

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

Origin & Etymology of Spinelessness

First known use: 1827

Frequently Asked Questions about Spinelessness

What does "Spinelessness" mean?

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

What is another word for "Spinelessness"?

Other words for "Spinelessness" include frailness, frailty, softness, weakness, wimpiness, wimpishness, wishy-washiness and cowardice. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Spinelessness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Spinelessness"?

There are 35 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Spinelessness". Common alternatives include frailness, frailty, softness, weakness, wimpiness, wimpishness, wishy-washiness, cowardice, cowardliness and cravenness.

What is the opposite of "Spinelessness"?

Antonyms of "Spinelessness" include backbone, chutzpah, firmness, fortitude, hardihood, mettle, moxie and nerve. Near antonyms include discipline, self-discipline, goodness and integrity.

How do you use "Spinelessness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Spinelessness" in a sentence: "the spinelessness that the grown woman has shown in dealing with her overbearing mother"; "charged the midshipman with sickening spinelessness under fire".

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

"Spinelessness" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Spinelessness"?

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

What is the origin of the word "Spinelessness"?

First known use: 1827.