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Cruel vs Cowardly - What's the difference?

cruel | cowardly | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between cruel and cowardly

is that cruel is not nice; mean; heartless while cowardly is showing cowardice; lacking in courage; basely or weakly fearful.

As a verb cruel

is to spoil or ruin (one's chance of success.

As an adverb cowardly is

in the manner of a coward.

cruel

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • Not nice; mean; heartless.
    • The supervisor was very cruel to Josh, as he would always give Josh the hardest, most degrading work he could find.
  • (slang) Cool; awesome; neat.

    • Synonyms

    * brutal * sadistic * vicious

    Antonyms

    * merciful

    Derived terms

    * cruelly

    Related terms

    * crude * crudeness * cruelty

    Verb

  • To spoil or ruin (one's chance of success)

    • External links

    * *

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    cowardly

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • In the manner of a coward.
  • * , Folio Society, 2006, vol.1, p.48:
    • I love to follow them, but not so cowardly , as my life remaine thereby in subjection.

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Showing cowardice; lacking in courage; basely or weakly fearful.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The cowardly rascals that ran from the battle.
  • * Burke
    • The cowardly rashness of those who dare not look danger in the face.

    Related terms

    * coward