Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

namby-pamby

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of namby-pamby

1 lacking in qualities that make for spirit and character
  • a namby-pamby debater with no passion behind her arguments
Synonyms of namby-pamby

banal, flat, insipid, watery, wishy-washy
Words Related to namby-pamby

unexciting, uninspiring, unrewarding

bland, boring, drab, dreary, dry, dull, heavy, humdrum, jading, leaden, lifeless, monotonous, pedestrian, ponderous, tedious, tiresome, tiring, uninteresting, vapid, wearisome, weary, wearying

inane

innocuous, inoffensive

mild, soft, subdued, tame, weak

common, commonplace, ordinary, stale, unexceptional
Near Antonyms of namby-pamby

piquant, poignant, pungent, racy, spicy

meaty, substantial

entertaining, exciting, galvanizing, inspiring, invigorating, thrilling
2 lacking strength of will or character
  • a namby-pamby reporter covering only soft news stories
Synonyms of namby-pamby

characterless, effete, frail, invertebrate, nerveless, soft, spineless, weak, weak-kneed, weakened, weakling, wimpish, wimpy, wishy-washy
Words Related to namby-pamby

flabby, flaccid, forceless, ineffective, ineffectual

impotent, impuissant, powerless

emasculated, unnerved

lamblike, meek, pliable, submissive

corrupt, dastardly, unprincipled, unscrupulous, villainous

cowardly, craven, fainthearted, lily-livered, nebbishy, poltroon, pusillanimous, sissy, timid

infirm, irresolute, vacillating
Near Antonyms of namby-pamby

ethical, good, moral, principled, right, righteous, upright, virtuous

determined, mettlesome, resolute, unrelenting

courageous, stalwart, stouthearted
Antonyms of namby-pamby

backboned, firm, hard, strong, tough

namby-pamby

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of namby-pamby

a person without strength of character
  • Those namby-pambies at city hall are never going to get serious about our crime problem.
Synonyms of namby-pamby

doormat, jellyfish, pushover, weakling, wimp
Words Related to namby-pamby

coward, milquetoast, mouse, nebbish, nervous Nellie (or nervous Nelly)

sheep
Near Antonyms of namby-pamby

mensch
Antonyms of namby-pamby

stalwart

Learn More about namby-pamby

  1. Dictionary: Definition of namby-pamby

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up namby-pamby? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games