# spineless

/ˈspaɪnɫəs/ (US) · /spˈaɪnləs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spineless
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

lacking the courage to make a decision or stand up for yourself. You use this to describe someone who is too weak to act when they should.

For teachers: lacking the moral or physical strength to act decisively or defend one's own interests. Often used figuratively to describe a lack of backbone or courage.

## Examples

- He is too spineless to tell his boss he is wrong.
- The committee was criticized for being spineless and failing to address the serious safety concerns raised by the workers.
- A spineless leader who refuses to take a firm stance on critical issues will eventually lose the trust of both their colleagues and the public they serve.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.