sissy 1 of 2

Definition of sissynext
as in feminine
of or relating to a man who has or displays qualities traditionally considered more suitable for women thought it was sissy for a boy to like flowers

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sissy

2 of 2

noun

as in coward
a person who shows a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger the candidate touts his wartime service as evidence that he is not a sissy

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sissy
Noun
The irony is that a minority once viewed as filled with sissies and losers is now portrayed as filled with bullies and power brokers, and straight people, especially men, seem to perceive themselves as the weak and afraid ones. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026 The sissy occupied a place between masculinity and femininity and almost always existed in service of the surrounding straight characters as well as the predominately hetero audience, for whom the sissy was a reliable source of humor. Rich Juzwiak, Time, 21 Jan. 2026 This acting medium is not 4 sissies. Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025 Nikki has bikes for two personalities—a cream-and-green-colored ’86 Heritage with an FLH front end and knucklebars; and an ’89 Springer Softail with a tiny tank, ape-hangers, a sissy-bar, and turned-up pipes, painted white with flames. Dean Kuipers, SPIN, 8 Jan. 2023 Her little sister’s third birthday, then my 27th birthday, our Christmas Eve tradition, the first time in seven years of not seeing or hearing the excitement opening gifts from Santa and sissy. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2022 Real Housewives, like old age in the Betty Davis adage, is not for sissies and Sutton is more of a sissy than me at 6 years old going as Truman Capote for Halloween. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 2 June 2021 There's this emphasis placed on gay people being well groomed and into high fashion, having high voices and being weak or sissies. Jeneé Osterheldt, kansascity, 16 Mar. 2018 They are told not to cry because crying is for sissies. Monique Judge, The Root, 10 Jan. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sissy
Adjective
  • The square neckline adds a flattering, feminine touch, while the subtle volume in the sleeves gives it a slightly dressier feel than your average tee.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2026
  • Super cute, feminine, and perfect for summer!
    Amanda Le, InStyle, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Fishback showed up at a Donalds campaign event in Lake City on Saturday with a bunch of supporters, shouting through a bullhorn that Donalds was a coward for not debating him and telling him to go back to New York, a reference to Donalds’ childhood in Brooklyn.
    Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026
  • Tyland may have gotten Triarchy pirate Admiral Sharako Lohar on Team Green’s side, but at his core this man is a coward.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • The term kothi applies to a broad category of people assigned male at birth who are effeminate to varying degrees and might engage in same-sex relationships, but do not live in separate communities.
    Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
  • One of the earliest of American masculinity influencers was President Theodore Roosevelt, who touted his own transformation from a timid, effeminate man – local presses mocked him in his early career – to a rugged outdoorsman.
    Miriam Eve Mora, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Why beef culture and agriculture matter in Texas Some of Talarico's critics seemed to be ripping on his manhood, referencing his support for the LGBTQ+ community, along with the purportedly unmanly notion of having, at one time, eschewed meat.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 29 May 2026
  • Clever rather than athletic; also unmanly.
    Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sissy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sissy. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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