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Glite Dictionary
🥱 A weak person 🥱 Weak or soft
pamby

pamby

1 9.9
Not strong and lacking courage or energy
  • adjective
  • Offensive
translation icon : pusilánime
  • He was criticized for his namby-pamby approach to leadership, avoiding tough decisions.
  • namby-pamby

I mean, it's just when I hear it, it's just so mamby pamby BS.

Examples

  • Its officials voice all manner of namby-pamby concerns.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • The movie's plot was filled with namby-pamby characters who never took any risks.

  • "I'm sick of all those namby-pamby pastimes," Charming said.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • In her prime, Eleanor Palmer must have been a truly foxy lady, worth a dozen of her namby-pamby daughters.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • Now, as you know all too well, our nation's schools have been blighted by the false kindness of namby-pamby, touchy-feely policies for far too long.

    St Trinian's (2007)

  • Times have not changed so much that the views, predilections, and economic motivations of many among the financial and power elites here and abroad have lost their appetite for this purer, less namby-pamby form of capitalism.

    Blog text (27)

  • Many found the artist's namby-pamby style unappealing compared to more bold expressions.

Synonyms

weak
vspamby
143 1.4

Not good at a skill or easily influenced by others

is about lack of strength or determination not just poor skill
wimpy
vspamby
  • Offensive
24 5.7

Lacking strength, courage, or strong flavor

is about lack of determination rather than mainly timid fear
namby-pamby
vspamby
  • Informal
1 9.9

Not brave and acting weak

is the same in meaning but is a different written form
wimpish
vspamby
  • Offensive
1 7.9

Not brave or strong enough to face difficult things

is more general feebleness rather than specifically timid behaviour
unpowerful
vspamby
5.8

Not strong and not able to make things happen

relates to personal feebleness and low will rather than external power
limpy
vspamby
7.9

Weak and not convincing, for example an excuse or performance

describes weakness of will or purpose rather than physical floppiness
waly
vspamby
  • Archaic
9.9

Appearing weak and sick and needing care

is about lack of inner strength or will rather than poor health

Antonyms

strong
∞ 1.0

Having great power or influence over people

powerful
∞ 1.7

Having great physical strength, like a strong machine or person

determined
399 2.5

Wanting strongly to do something and not giving up

How Strong

strong
∞ 1.0
weak
524 1.0
pamby
  • Offensive
1 9.9
frail
52 4.1

Surface Forms

pamby positive

Etymology

Pamby is easy to remember if you think of pamper + baby — a 'pampered baby' who is soft and not strong. So, pamby means 'weak' or 'feeble'.