wishy-washy

Examples

• All

• I know, I know, I've been wishy-washy.

  Café Society (2016)

• Remember, when a candidate is wishy-washy, it is a reflection of his or her character.

  Blog text (32)

• Well, I never did care for wishy-washy people.

  A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

• Always wishy-washy, never taking action.

  Escape from Planet Earth (2013)

• His questions were a bit wishy-washy.

  Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)

• Gov. Mitt Romney has been wishy-washy on some issues, including when it comes to abortion and birth control.

  Blog text (20)

• Most of you are always complaining (rightfully so) about how wishy-washy most Dems are.

  Blog text (6)

• He always gives wishy-washy responses during meetings, leaving everyone confused.

• I don't like wishy-washy decisions; I prefer clear and firm choices.

• Her wishy-washy attitude made it difficult to trust her during the project.

Synonyms

W

weak

vswishy-washy

312 1.5

Not strong in will and easily gives in to pressure

adds hesitation and lack of firmness beyond mere moral failing

S

spineless

vswishy-washy

• Offensive

27 5.6

Not having courage to act or speak up

is broader, combining that lack of courage with hesitation

G

gutless

vswishy-washy

• Offensive

26 6.0

Not brave enough to face danger or difficult things

is broader, adding hesitation and lack of firmness beyond mere fear

W

wimpy

vswishy-washy

• Offensive

24 5.7

Lacking strength, courage, or strong flavor

is broader, implying chronic hesitation and lack of firmness

I

indecisive

vswishy-washy

16 4.3

Slow to choose and unsure about what to do

includes that hesitation but also implies lack of courage and firmness

F

feckless

vswishy-washy

• Offensive

14 8.6

Shows little care or effort and fails to do things well

focuses more on personal weakness and hesitation than on irresponsibility

W

wussy

vswishy-washy

• Offensive

6 9.4

Not brave or willing to try new things

is less casual, describing habitual hesitation and general weakness

F

faint-hearted

vswishy-washy

3 6.8

Easily frightened and likely to avoid hard or scary things

is stronger, covering both timid fear and prolonged hesitant weakness

P

pusillanimous

vswishy-washy

• Offensive

2 9.9

Easily afraid and not willing to take risks

is more about general hesitation and weakness than only fearfulness

I

irresolute

vswishy-washy

1 8.2

Not able to make clear decisions quickly

is broader, also implying lack of courage and firmness

N

namby-pamby

vswishy-washy

• Informal

1 9.9

Not brave and acting weak

is similar but often more playful or childish in tone than plain weakness

W

weak-kneed

vswishy-washy

• Informal

1 7.1

Not brave enough to face difficult situations

is wider, applying to general hesitation and lack of firmness

W

wimpish

vswishy-washy

• Offensive

1 7.9

Not brave or strong enough to face difficult things

is more about lack of firmness and decision-making than ineffectiveness

W

wavering

vswishy-washy

5.3

Hesitating and unsure about a decision or action

is about general weakness and unstable purpose rather than brief hesitation

Antonyms

S

strong

∞ 1.0

Having great physical power or being solid enough to resist force

D

decisive

30 3.7

Able to choose quickly and firmly

How Firm

resolute

21 4.9

decisive

30 3.7

wishy-washy

• Informal

12 7.3

hesitant

73 3.2

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology