1
as in bland
lacking in qualities that make for spirit and character
she's such a namby-pamby nothing that it's no wonder she's never asked out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weak
lacking strength of will or character
mocked namby-pamby intellectuals who endlessly debate the pros and cons of everything and invariably end up accomplishing nothing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in coward
a person without strength of character
those namby-pambies at city hall are never going to get serious about our crime problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 namby-pamby
John B. Judis, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2023
Adjective
Walzer’s dissent was namby-pamby.
—John B. Judis, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for namby-pamby
Adjective
-
Once a go-to neutral, gray carpet has long since lost its charm; it's now linked to bland spaces that lack character.—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
7 Mar. 2026
-
This one came off bland, with a sauce that bordered on soupy rather than creamy.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But relying on the military to supplant the role traditionally performed by civilian law enforcement entails risks in a region where military institutions and oversight are weaker, armed forces have a legacy of human rights abuses and corruption is a perennial challenge.—
JOSHUA GOODMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
January’s stronger-than-expected total was likely buoyed by some one-time factors (notably, weaker holiday hiring that meant fewer post-holiday layoffs, and unseasonably warm weather in the early part of the month that boosted industries like construction).—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
John Cornyn is a coward who has refused to support abolishing the filibuster to pass this bill.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
John Cornyn is a coward who has refused to support abolishing the filibuster to pass this bill.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Crank up some music and have a dance party during an otherwise boring moment.—
Margery D. Rosen,
Parents,
5 Mar. 2026
-
At this point, the UConn-dominance-is-boring crowd has had years to debate during the reigns of several incredible players.—
Chantel Jennings,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The walnut desks, the Carrera marble, the Morrocan tile, the Savoir beds (so firm-soft that Goldilocks would weep)—it’s all elegant yet easy, thrown together with savvy intention.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
-
There’s an update on the barn jacket in a soft light blue wash, with a contrast white leather collar; a sweeping denim car coat ideal for transitional weather, and an A-line denim skirt designed to be worn over pants.—
Libby Page,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Advertisement Similarly, no one is going to think Mullin is a wimp.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Eventually Sutton calls Amanda a wimp for not wanting any part of any confrontation, and Amanda tells her not to call her a wimp in her own home.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Back-to-back insipid losses to Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest, which remain the low points of this campaign, had seen confidence on the terraces drain away.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Even the most insipid formulaic pop nonsense can induce that almost mystical reflection of life if your connections to the time of its airplay are meaningful.—
Jody Mamone,
Hartford Courant,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
If the Iranian regime survives in weakened form, Beijing will likely calibrate limited, deniable support while avoiding overcommitment.—
John Calabrese,
The Conversation,
6 Mar. 2026
-
While most people recover fairly quickly from HMPV, people with weakened immune system or other medical conditions, or who are very young or old, are more likely to suffer serious illness, the Mayo Clinic said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Namby-pamby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/namby-pamby. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
