cowardice
n.a lack of courage when you are in a difficult or dangerous situation. It describes the behavior of someone who is too afraid to do what is right or necessary.
n.a lack of bravery or courage, especially when facing danger, pain, or a moral challenge. Often used to describe a failure to act due to fear.
“He was accused of cowardice for running away from the fight.”
“The politician's refusal to stand up for his beliefs was seen as an act of political cowardice by his supporters.”
“While some viewed his retreat as a strategic necessity, others condemned it as a display of cowardice that left his allies vulnerable to the advancing forces.”
Typically functions as an abstract noun; often paired with the verb 'show' or 'display'.
From Middle English cowardise, borrowed from Anglo-Norman cuardise (modern French couardise).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.