pusillanimity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, literary, and elevated style. Most often found in rhetorical, philosophical, or historical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “pusillanimity” mean?
Cowardice, timidity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Cowardice, timidity; lack of courage or determination.
The state or quality of being fainthearted, irresolute, or easily intimidated; often implying a contemptible weakness of spirit or moral courage, especially when courage is expected.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare and formal in both variants.
Connotations
Slightly archaic and pejorative; suggests a failure of character. More likely to be used in critique or analysis than in everyday description.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both corpora. Used almost exclusively in formal writing, speeches, or academic discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “pusillanimity” in a Sentence
[Subject] demonstrated pusillanimity.[Subject] was accused of pusillanimity.The [decision/action] was born of pusillanimity.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pusillanimity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The minister was pusillanimous in refusing to confront the issue.
American English
- The mayor pusillanimously backed down from the debate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Criticising a competitor's or executive's risk-averse strategy: 'The board's pusillanimity cost us the merger.'
Academic
Analysing historical or political failures: 'The treaty's failure is often attributed to diplomatic pusillanimity.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. Might appear in a very formal letter of condemnation.
Technical
Rare. Could be used in ethical or leadership discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pusillanimity”
Strong
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pusillanimity”
- Confusing with 'pugnacity' (which means aggressiveness).
- Misspelling: 'pusilanimity' (missing one 'l').
- Using it in informal contexts where 'cowardice' or 'spinelessness' would be natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very formal, literary word most often encountered in high-register writing, rhetoric, or academic criticism.
'Pusillanimity' is more specific and judgmental. It implies not just fear, but a weak-spirited, irresolute, and often blameworthy failure of moral or psychological fortitude. 'Cowardice' is the broader, more common term.
Almost never. Its etymology ('very small spirit') and historical usage give it a firmly pejorative connotation.
The related adjective is 'pusillanimous', as in 'a pusillanimous leader'.
Cowardice, timidity.
Pusillanimity is usually formal, literary, and elevated style. most often found in rhetorical, philosophical, or historical contexts. in register.
Pusillanimity: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpjuːsɪləˈnɪmɪti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpjuːsələˈnɪməti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A failure of nerve (conceptual synonym)”
- “Lack of backbone (conceptual synonym)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PUSsycat LION animosity' – but the pussycat is too scared (pusillanimous) to show any animosity to the lion.
Conceptual Metaphor
COURAGE IS SIZE/STRENGTH (antonym). Pusillanimity implies a small (pusillus) soul/spirit (animus).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best captures the nuance of 'pusillanimity'?