craven
adj.adj. extremely cowardly and lacking any courage. You use this to describe someone who is too afraid to do what is right or necessary.
adj. contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly. Often used to describe a failure to act due to fear, especially in a moral or political context.
The leader's craven behavior disappointed his followers.
The board made a craven decision to fire the whistleblower rather than face the public scandal.
Historians often criticize the administration's craven refusal to intervene, suggesting that a more courageous stance might have prevented the ensuing humanitarian crisis.
Usage
Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun to describe people, actions, or decisions.
Last updated May 7, 2026