Craven
hardNegative toneKRAY-vun
adjective
Definition
contemptibly cowardly; lacking courage
Memory hook
CRAVEN sounds like RAVEN cowering: picture a CRAVEN raven hiding in its nest, too scared to fly.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“His craven retreat at the first sign of trouble disgusted his comrades.”
“The board's craven silence let the abuse continue for years.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“His ______ retreat at the first sign of trouble disgusted his comrades.”
Show answer
craven
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Craven is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "cowardly" or "pusillanimous" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "brave".
Related GRE Words
pusillanimous
Lacking courage or resolution; cowardly
diffident
Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence
timorous
fearful, timid, or lacking in confidence
abstemious
Moderate in eating and drinking; self-restrained
artless
free of guile or pretense; naturally simple and sincere
disinterested
free from bias or self-interest; impartial
Master craven and 1,000+ GRE words
Learn through stories, practice with real GRE questions, and never forget with spaced repetition.