23 Other Ways to Say COWARD (With Examples)

You have probably met someone who avoids challenges, shrinks from tough situations, or runs at the first sign of trouble. You might call them a coward, but did you know there are many other fun and simple words you can use to describe the same idea? Learning these words will make your speech more lively and interesting while keeping it easy to understand.

23 Different Ways to Say COWARD: Another Word for Coward

Chicken

The word chicken is a popular way to describe a coward. It is simple, playful, and easy to remember. People often use it when someone is scared to take risks or face challenges. Chicken works well in casual conversations and friendly teasing. It relates to coward because it captures the feeling of fear or hesitation. You can say it without sounding too harsh, making it perfect for social situations.

• Stop being such a chicken and jump into the pool.
• He is too chicken to talk to the boss about his idea.
• Don’t be a chicken; go on the roller coaster with us.

Weakling

Weakling describes someone who lacks strength, courage, or confidence. It works because being a coward is often connected to weakness, not just fear. This word is useful when you want to point out that someone cannot handle tough situations. Weakling carries a gentle insult but is still easy to understand. It relates to coward because it highlights a lack of bravery or resilience. You can use it in both playful and serious conversations.

• That weakling ran away before the game even started.
• Don’t act like a weakling when facing your fears.
• She called him a weakling for avoiding the debate.

Wimp

Wimp is a fun and very common word to describe a coward. It works because it implies someone is soft, afraid, or easily scared. Wimp is easy to say and perfect for casual situations. It relates to coward because it shows the person avoids challenges or hard tasks. People often use it in friendly teasing, but it can also be serious when talking about fear.

• He’s a wimp for not trying the spicy food.
• Don’t be a wimp; climb the tree with us.
• Stop acting like a wimp and face the problem.

Scaredy-cat

Scaredy-cat is a playful way to call someone a coward. It works because it is light, funny, and very easy to understand. People often use it with children or friends to tease them about being afraid. It relates to coward because it points out fear in a simple and memorable way. It’s safe to use in almost any conversation without offending.

• Don’t be a scaredy-cat; the movie is not that scary.
• She’s a scaredy-cat when it comes to heights.
• Stop acting like a scaredy-cat and join us.

Fraidy-cat

Fraidy-cat is very similar to scaredy-cat and works for the same reasons. It is playful and fun to say. It relates to coward because it emphasizes fear and avoidance. Fraidy-cat is excellent when you want to keep the mood light. Use it with friends, children, or anyone you want to gently tease. It makes the idea of being scared easy to understand.

• Don’t be a fraidy-cat; it’s just a small spider.
• He’s a fraidy-cat in the dark.
• Stop being a fraidy-cat and try the ride.

Milksop

Milksop is a slightly old-fashioned word but still great for describing a coward. It works because it shows weakness and a lack of courage. It is a bit formal but can be used in storytelling or writing. Milksop relates to coward by highlighting someone who avoids tough situations. It can be playful or serious depending on the context, making it flexible for many situations.

• He is a milksop for avoiding the challenge.
• Stop being a milksop and stand up for yourself.
• That milksop never speaks in class.

Pushover

Pushover describes someone who is easily influenced or afraid to say no. It works because cowards often avoid conflict or pressure. This word is great for everyday use. Pushover relates to coward because it shows a lack of firmness or bravery. It is simple, clear, and easy to remember. People will instantly understand the meaning when you use it.

• She is a pushover for her boss.
• Don’t be a pushover; speak your mind.
• He’s a pushover when friends ask for favors.

Softie

Softie describes someone who is gentle and easily scared. It works as a synonym for coward because it emphasizes sensitivity and fear. Softie is casual and friendly. It relates to coward by showing someone avoids challenges or confrontations. People often use it with warmth or teasing. It’s a simple word that everyone can understand.

• He’s a softie and doesn’t like scary movies.
• Stop being a softie and try the roller coaster.
• She’s a softie when it comes to hard work.

Timid person

A timid person is shy, nervous, and afraid of risks. It works because cowardly behavior often comes from timidity. This phrase is very clear and descriptive. It relates to coward because it focuses on fear and hesitation. You can use it in polite or formal situations. It is also easy for readers to picture what kind of person you mean.

• He is a timid person and avoids public speaking.
• Don’t be a timid person; take the chance.
• She is too timid to ask for help.

Fearful person

A fearful person is someone who often feels afraid. It works because cowardice is closely connected to fear. This phrase is clear, direct, and polite. It relates to coward by focusing on the emotion behind the action. You can use it to describe someone gently without sounding mean. People will understand exactly what you mean.

• He is a fearful person when facing challenges.
• Don’t be a fearful person; try new things.
• She is a fearful person in crowds.

Spineless person

A spineless person lacks courage or determination. It works well because cowards often fail to stand up for themselves. The word spineless is strong but clear. It relates to coward by showing weakness and avoidance. You can use it when talking about behavior in work, school, or life. People immediately understand the idea.

• He is a spineless person who avoids conflicts.
• Don’t be spineless; face your fears.
• She is spineless and never argues.

Gutless person

Gutless person is similar to spineless but focuses on bravery. It works because cowards often act without courage. This phrase is clear and direct. It relates to coward by showing a lack of inner strength. You can use it in serious or playful situations. People understand it quickly because it’s very visual.

• Don’t be a gutless person and take the chance.
• He is gutless for avoiding the challenge.
• She is gutless when confronting her boss.

Chicken-hearted person

Chicken-hearted person is a descriptive phrase for a coward. It works because it mixes the fun of “chicken” with a serious meaning. It relates to coward by showing fear and hesitation. You can use it in casual conversations to tease someone. It is clear and easy to remember. It paints a picture of someone who avoids difficulties.

• He’s a chicken-hearted person when it comes to sports.
• Don’t be chicken-hearted; face the problem.
• She is chicken-hearted and won’t try new things.

Lily-livered person

Lily-livered person is a slightly old-fashioned but colorful way to describe a coward. It works because it implies weakness and fear. It relates to coward by emphasizing a lack of courage. You can use it in stories or playful teasing. People enjoy the image it creates. It makes the word coward more interesting.

• He’s a lily-livered person in the meeting.
• Don’t be lily-livered and take the opportunity.
• She is lily-livered when it comes to adventure.

Yellow-belly

Yellow-belly is a fun slang word for a coward. It works because it highlights fear and avoidance. It relates to coward by showing someone is afraid to act. You can use it playfully with friends. It is short, easy to say, and memorable. People immediately know what you mean.

• Don’t be a yellow-belly; jump in the water.
• He’s a yellow-belly in difficult situations.
• She called him a yellow-belly for backing out.

Poltroon

Poltroon is a formal word for a coward. It works because it clearly points out fear and weakness. It relates to coward by describing someone who avoids danger. You can use it in writing or when you want to sound sophisticated. People may need context, but it adds variety to your language.

• The knight was a poltroon and fled the battle.
• Don’t act like a poltroon in difficult times.
• She proved he was a poltroon by avoiding challenges.

Craven

Craven is a strong word for someone who is very cowardly. It works because it describes extreme fear and avoidance. It relates to coward by emphasizing weakness and lack of courage. You can use it in writing or serious conversation. It gives a dramatic feel to the description of cowardice.

• He was too craven to stand up for his friend.
• Don’t be craven when facing problems.
• She felt craven leaving the meeting early.

Cowardly person

Cowardly person is the direct way to say coward. It works because it is simple and clear. It relates to coward by describing someone who is afraid or avoids challenges. You can use it in any situation. It is polite and descriptive at the same time. Everyone understands this easily.

• He is a cowardly person in difficult times.
• Don’t be a cowardly person; try your best.
• She seems cowardly when speaking in public.

Dastard

Dastard is an old word for a coward. It works because it adds style and a unique flavor to your description. It relates to coward by showing fear and avoidance. You can use it in storytelling or playful conversations. It is memorable and fun to say. It makes language colorful.

• He acted like a dastard in the challenge.
• Don’t be a dastard and face the task.
• She called him a dastard for leaving early.

Weak-kneed person

Weak-kneed person is a descriptive phrase that works because it shows someone is afraid or nervous. It relates to coward by pointing out hesitation and fear. You can use it in both casual and serious contexts. It is very visual and easy to understand. People instantly get the meaning.

• He is a weak-kneed person in tense situations.
• Don’t be weak-kneed; take action now.
• She’s weak-kneed when meeting new people.

Faint-hearted person

Faint-hearted person describes someone who lacks courage. It works because cowardice often comes from fear or hesitation. It relates to coward by emphasizing timidity. You can use it politely or in stories. People understand the idea easily, and it sounds gentle.

• He is a faint-hearted person in scary movies.
• Don’t be faint-hearted; try the challenge.
• She is faint-hearted when speaking in public.

Pansy

Pansy is a playful and casual way to call someone a coward. It works because it is easy to say and memorable. It relates to coward by highlighting fear or lack of courage. You can use it jokingly with friends. It is simple, clear, and fun to use.

• Don’t be a pansy; try the game.
• He’s a pansy for avoiding the scary ride.
• She called him a pansy for backing out.

Table of Synonyms for Coward

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide helps you learn many exciting ways to say coward. Using these words can make your speech fun, creative, and easy to understand. Each synonym has a special tone and feeling, so you can choose one that fits the situation perfectly. With these words, describing fear and hesitation becomes lively, colorful, and memorable. Start trying them out in your conversations today.