gutless

adjective

ˈgət-ləs How to pronounce gutless (audio)
Definition of gutlessnext
as in cowardly
having or showing a shameful lack of courage a gutless attack on a writer who is now deceased and unable to defend herself

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 gutless The result leaves nearly every performer fumbling for traction in Serkis and Stoller’s muddy-yet-gutless cinematic sty. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026 And all the while, our gutless politicians watch from the sidelines so as to not interfere and risk angering their party. — Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026 As a result, politicians have been too gutless to tax their biggest donors. — Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Jan. 2026 In a year of gutless moves by major media companies, this may be the most gutless. — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gutless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gutless
  1. cowardly
  2. afraid
  3. spineless
  4. craven
  5. pusillanimous
  6. scared
  7. frightened
  8. yellow
Adjective
  • What’s left is a vaguely political YouTube series afraid of its own tail, incapable of being actually relatable and too cowardly to own the batshit truths of these people’s lives.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The trans actor Elliot Page plays Sinon, a poor boy from Ithaca who is brave enough to travel with Odysseus in place of the cowardly aristocrat Antinous, played by Robert Pattinson.
    — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of cowardly
Adjective
  • Trust your board, adapt to your league mates and don’t be afraid to take the swings that can win you the league.
    — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Brian Austin Green isn’t afraid to talk about what happens to men after 50.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • And now the nation will probably never get back to normal because a spineless GOP can never admit that it’s been conned.
    — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 22 May 2026
  • Some of Thomas’s critique appeared to be aimed at weak-willed conservatives, including his fellow-Justices, for being, as Thomas perceives it, too spineless to stand up for the ideals enshrined in the Declaration.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
Definition of spineless
Adjective
  • 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
  • Not an inspiration for craven pundits and politicians to use players as divisive avatars.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of craven
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
  • Across the playground, Star climbed to the top of a slide, then got too scared to come down.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The movie is skipping festivals, which suggests that Warners is scared of critics.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • In the second test, 12 dogs were shown happy faces, as well as sad, frightened, and angry ones.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Hilton’s sister, Barbara Giarraffa, frightened fans and TikTok moderators were among those who called authorities.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • The game, originally scheduled for last Friday, was full of yellow flags.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Due to driver shortages and other factors, the number of yellow bus rides in school districts has decreased, putting pressure on families to figure out transportation.
    — Jeff McMurray, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of yellow

Browse Nearby Words

gut it out
gutless
gutlessness
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Cite this Entry

“Gutless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gutless. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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