Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - cowardly

 I. adverb  Date: 14th century in a ~ manner  II. adjective  Date: 1551 being, resembling, or befitting a coward a ~ retreat  • cowardliness noun Synonyms:  ~, pusillanimous, craven, dastardly mean having or showing a lack of courage. ~ implies a weak or ignoble lack of courage a ~ failure to stand up for principle. pusillanimous suggests a contemptible lack of courage the pusillanimous fear of a future full of possibility. craven suggests extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance secretly despised her own craven yes-men. dastardly often implies behavior that is both ~ and treacherous or skulking or outrageous a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians.