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 of wishy-washy

• bland
• boring
• insipid
• dull
• tiring
• banal
• weak
• milk-and-water
• namby-pamby

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

During the fevered sectionalism of the Civil War era, his once-sage ambiguity began to appear wishy-washy. — Christopher Lynch, The Conversation, 1 July 2026

Davide Costa stars as Cady’s wishy-washy romantic partner Aaron and Ryan Perry Marks is Kevin, the frenetic leader of the school math club. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026

The entire, chaotic saga—a wishy-washy White House, confused statements from populist and tech-elite Trump whisperers—is only the latest in a long string of strange, often contradictory AI-policy positions. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026

But a late-breaking twist may have set the second season (streaming now on Netflix) free from its wishy-washy roots. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

reduplication of washy

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for wishy-washy

• higashi
• washy

Kids Definition

wishy-washy

adjective

ˈwish-ē-ˌwȯsh-ē, 

-ˌwäsh-

: lacking spirit, courage, or determination : weak

wishy-washy leadership