Pusillanimous: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Pusillanimous adjective. Lacking courage or determination; timid.
How to say it
PYOO-sih-LAN-ih-mus/ˌpjuːsɪˈlænɪməs/
5 syllables, with stress on PYOO and LAN.
Pusillanimous in a sentence
The board’s pusillanimous response was to commission yet another report.
Too pusillanimous to say no, he found himself signed up for the marathon.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- cowardly
- timid
- spineless
- faint-hearted
Opposite:
- brave
- bold
Where pusillanimous comes from
From Latin pusillus, very small, and animus, mind or spirit.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Too _____ to say no, he found himself signed up for the marathon.
- pusillanimous
- ebullient
- fastidious
Show the answer
pusillanimous: Too pusillanimous to say no, he found himself signed up for the marathon.