spineless

UK: /ˈspaɪnləs/ US: /ˈspaɪnlɪs/ ,(spīn′lis)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

spine•less /ˈspaɪnlɪs/   adj. 

1. Zoology having no spine or backbone.
2. Zoology having no spines or quills.
3. without resolution or courage:
   He was a spineless coward.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

spine•less  (spīn′lis), adj. 

1. Zoology having no spines or quills.
2. Zoology having no spine or backbone.
3. Pathology having a weak spine;
   limp.
4. without moral force, resolution, or courage;
   feeble:
   a spineless, lily-livered coward.

• spine + -less 1820–30

spine′less•ly, adv. 
spine′less•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 4. weak, irresolute, indecisive.

Antonyms

• 4. strong, resolute.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

spineless / ˈspaɪnlɪs/ adjective

1. lacking a backbone; invertebrate
2. having no spiny processes: spineless stems
3. lacking strength of character, resolution, or courage

ˈspinelessly adverb

ˈspinelessness noun