namby-pamby 1 of 2

adjective

ˌnam-bē-ˈpam-bē How to pronounce namby-pamby (audio)
Definition of namby-pambynext
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

namby-pamby

2 of 2

noun

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for namby-pamby
  1. bland
  2. weak
  3. coward
  4. boring
  5. soft
  6. wimp
  7. insipid
  8. weakened
Adjective
  • Outside of the Timbo tracks, though, Jay sometimes goes autopilot on bland synth-heavy beats by Swizz Beatz, DJ Clue, and Duro.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 14 July 2026
  • Emma’s resistance to the bland wholesomeness of recovery spaces speaks to a familiar cultural trope across media, in films and television shows; that sobriety is where flamboyance goes to die.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
Definition of bland
Adjective
  • But despite growing international demand for Chinese goods, domestic consumption remains a critical weak spot in the nation’s economic development.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The stock plunged 25% for its worst day on record after issuing weak preliminary results for the second quarter.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of weak
Noun
  • In reality, the refs just do the bidding of the cowards behind the curtain.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
  • That’s the sign of a true coward.
    — Maria Bamford, Vulture, 23 June 2026
Definition of coward
Adjective
  • The couple just stole $10 million — a theft consequential enough to set the entire story in motion, yet also too boring to depict outside a brief flashback?
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
  • The boring games are usually like watching paint dry and their very dedicated fans are only there for the massive parties.
    — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • Smaller nonprofit efforts — often faith-based — can also offer a soft landing place, but few exist.
    — Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Most accounts read Qatar's rise as gas turned into money, turned into visibility, a soft-power story with expensive props.
    — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of soft
Noun
  • For the anarchic, nearly surreal nature of the bits that make legendary cinematic daredevils ranging from Buster Keaton to Jackie Chan seem like wimps.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026
  • And this name sounds like a wimp to me.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Definition of wimp
Adjective
  • Mitchell, whose gritty century in the recent third test against England secured a series victory, top-scored with 65 in an insipid New Zealand batting effort.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
  • That’s how long Thomas Tuchel’s team waited to produce a lifeless and insipid performance against Ghana that prompted many to re-evaluate the Three Lions’ chances of winning the whole thing this summer.
    — Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of insipid
Adjective
  • The condition occurs due to a slow breakdown of the cells in the aorta, which has likely been going on silently for many years before the weakened area of the aortic wall finally gives away and tears.
    — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
  • Serratia marcescens can occasionally cause infections in people with weakened immune systems or those who are hospitalized.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
Definition of weakened
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Namby-pamby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/namby-pamby. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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