milquetoast
3
9.9
- noun
- /ˈmɪlkəˌtoʊst/
- Offensive
:
blandengue
- Ben is with a patient, Carl Anderson, a high-strung milquetoast in his late forties.
- Casper Milquetoast
Examples
-
Despite being labeled a milquetoast, he surprised everyone with his bold decision.
-
He is often seen as a milquetoast because he rarely stands up for his opinions.
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Don't be such a milquetoast.
-
I'll vote for a pro-impeach candidate over a milquetoast, leave-well-enough-alone politician.
Blog text (11) -
He had done it this time in despair because Mom had said or implied that he was a beanpole, a weakling, or a milquetoast.
Fiction book (1992) -
Because he'd always perceived me as a hefty Milquetoast with no personal aspirations, he trusted me implicitly.
Fiction book (1993) -
If the only people of worth in this community are considered to be the roughest, toughest, rootin'est, tootin'est brawlers, and everyone else is a wet milquetoast who must 'grow a spine' before they can be heard, then it’s really not much of a community, is it?
Blog text (29) -
Don't be a milquetoast; express your thoughts with confidence!
Synonyms
4
2.5
A person who feels nervous around others and avoids social situations
4
9.9
A man or boy who seems weak and afraid to act
4
8.1
A shy person who avoids standing out
2
9.9
A person who is shy, quiet, and often seen by others as weak
1
9.9
A man or boy who is not brave and does not stand up for himself
1
9.9
A person who is shy and lacks courage
1
9.9
A person who is weak and afraid to act in difficult situations
1
9.9
A person who is easily frightened
Antonyms
Compounds
How Timid
Surface Forms
Etymology
Milquetoast comes from a comic character called Caspar Milquetoast, and his name was a joke on the plain food 'milk toast'. Because the character was very quiet and gentle, milquetoast now means a 'timid' or 'meek' person.