wishy-washy

adjective

ˈwi-shē-ˌwȯ-shē 

-ˌwä-

1

: lacking in character or determination : ineffectual

wishy-washy leadership

2

: lacking in strength or flavor : weak

wishy-washy wines

wishy-washiness noun

Synonyms

• banal
• flat
• insipid
• milk-and-water
• namby-pamby
• watery

Examples of wishy-washy in a Sentence

this story is too wishy-washy; you need to add some verve to it

in a time of crisis the nation can ill afford wishy-washy leaders

Recent Examples on the Web

The script’s other failing is its wishy-washy wrap-up of the Bambina business. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 May 2024

There’s no room for wishy-washy behavior as Venus and Saturn come together in your 8th House of Intimacy. —Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 21 Mar. 2024

In the Top 40 charts, a lot of mainstream music feels a bit wishy-washy. —Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 14 May 2024

And if that sounds like Johnson was being wishy-washy, well, just wait. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024

The movie is choppy, uninvolving and thematically wishy-washy, giving you very little reason to care about its numbingly verbose characters even when their lives are under threat. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2023

Standard twin-tube dampers do a commendable job in corners, allowing just a bit of lean without feeling wishy-washy. —Andrew Krok, Car and Driver, 6 Sep. 2023

Lack of consistency: Nothing is worse than a non-consistent, wishy-washy person who can’t keep commitments or their word. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 8 Aug. 2023

Chapek’s original wishy-washy response to anti-LGBTQ legislation in the state allowed GOP politicians to gain power in the clash. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 11 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

reduplication of washy

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wishy-washy

adjective

ˈwish-ē-ˌwȯsh-ē,

-ˌwäsh-

: lacking spirit, courage, or determination : weak

wishy-washy leadership