Word: craven (adjective)

Associations

The word "craven" means very cowardly or lacking courage. It is a strong word used to describe someone who is afraid to face danger or difficulty.

• Example 1: "He showed a craven refusal to stand up for his beliefs." This means he was very afraid to defend what he believed.
• Example 2: "The craven act of running away scared everyone." This means the act of running away was very cowardly.
• Example 3: "No craven person would survive in the wild." This means a very cowardly person would not do well in a tough situation.

Synonym: "cowardly" is a common synonym. The difference is "craven" is more formal and stronger, often used in serious or literary contexts, while "cowardly" is more common in everyday speech.

Substitution

Instead of "craven," you can say:

• cowardly (less formal)
• fearful (focuses on fear, not necessarily weakness)
• spineless (means lacking courage or determination) Changing the word changes the tone: "craven" sounds more serious and harsh than "fearful."

Deconstruction

"Craven" comes from Old French "cravant," meaning defeated or vanquished. It is related to the verb "to crave," but here it means someone who is defeated by fear. No prefix or suffix in the modern word; it is a simple adjective.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation where someone might be called "craven"?
• How would you feel if someone called you "craven"?
• Are there times when being cautious is not "craven," but smart? How do you tell the difference?