Antonyms of adj mettlesome

2 senses of mettlesome

Sense 1
mettlesome -- (having a proud and unbroken spirit)

INDIRECT (VIA spirited) -> spiritless -- (lacking ardor or vigor or energy; "a spiritless reply to criticism")

Sense 2
game, gamy, gamey, gritty, mettlesome, spirited, spunky -- (willing to face danger)

INDIRECT (VIA brave) -> cowardly, fearful -- (lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted; "cowardly dogs, ye will not aid me then"- P.B.Shelley)

Similarity of adj mettlesome

2 senses of mettlesome

Sense 1
mettlesome -- (having a proud and unbroken spirit)
       => spirited (vs. spiritless) -- (displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness)

Sense 2
game, gamy, gamey, gritty, mettlesome, spirited, spunky -- (willing to face danger)
       => brave (vs. cowardly), courageous -- (possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching; "Familiarity with danger makes a brave man braver but less daring"- Herman Melville; "a frank courageous heart...triumphed over pain"- William Wordsworth; "set a courageous example by leading them safely into and out of enemy-held territory")