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wishy-washy

adjective

ˈwi-shē-ˌwȯ-shē How to pronounce wishy-washy (audio)
Definition of wishy-washynext
1
as in bland
lacking in qualities that make for spirit and character this story is too wishy-washy; you need to add some verve to it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weak
lacking strength of will or character in a time of crisis the nation can ill afford wishy-washy leaders

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 wishy-washy Advertisement Mallory’s ruthlessness in the custody fight begins to alarm wishy-washy Karl. — Judy Berman, Time, 20 May 2026 While the market may seem wishy-washy on EVs right now, at least in the United States, most automakers with EVs already in the works are plowing forward. — Kristin Shaw, ArsTechnica, 20 May 2026 At the risk of sounding wishy-washy like Thomas Mann at his worst moments, that understanding of the full spectrum of experience in both types of society and all the attendant nuances that made neither order much better or worse than the other comes across affectingly here. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026 Someone who’s a little wishy-washy, depending on if the cameras are up, that would definitely be messy Ashley Darby. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for wishy-washy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wishy-washy
  1. bland
  2. weak
  3. boring
  4. weakened
  5. insipid
  6. soft
  7. dull
  8. tiring
Adjective
  • Webflow's free templates are visually bland, so the premium templates are basically required to build an attractive site.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Roasting brings out its sweetness and adds depth, transforming it from bland to rich and slightly caramelized.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of bland
Adjective
  • But the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has devolved significantly since its glory days atop the comedy calendar, proving to be a weaker platform for political satire than the Onion’s takeover of Infowars.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Production disruptions and weak output in Chile, the world’s biggest producer, sent prices to record highs, with the US accumulating huge stockpiles and smelters in China forced to turn to scraps to meet that country’s industrial needs.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • As a matter of fact, this will probably be one of the more boring editions of this column.
    — Gary Davenport, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Alice’s viewpoint is boring, and anyone who agonizes about it forever will never get to the interesting parts.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • When people use contaminated soap, bacteria can enter the body through cuts and cracks in the skin and lead to infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
    — Jenna Anderson, HEALTH, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Even children vaccinated for varicella, such as those in the United States since 1995, still have dormant virus in their neurons, since the vaccine uses a live but weakened strain.
    — Andrew Bubak, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of weakened
Adjective
  • In the meantime, there’s a lot of unwieldy comic commotion involving a missing corpse, a tweaking, naked Dwight and enough insipid TV sibling bickering to clog the airwaves for a decade.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Otherwise, the defence failed to defend, the midfield got overrun and the attack was so insipid that Wrexham managed just one shot on target — George Dobson’s 35th-minute effort that Konstantinos Mavropanos blocked just in front of the goal line.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of insipid
Adjective
  • Paris Baguette serves sweet and savory pastries, wraps, breakfast sandwiches and cakes, including chocolate hazelnut with Nutella, a chocolate mousse, salted caramel layer cake, a blueberry chiffon cake and a strawberry soft cream cake.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026
  • For those not quite ready to descend immediately into oxbloods, blacks, and vampy winter tones, taupe offers a softer way in.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of soft
Adjective
  • They were illuminated as dull streaks of red, as the group’s flashlights were covered with red tape to reduce the light.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Prime Video continues to be one of the most baffling streaming services, from dull originals like Reacher to a revolving catalogue of films that never saw the light of an actual movie theater.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of dull
Adjective
  • Swatting at wasps is a bad idea, and simply running from them gets tiring.
    — Nick Perry, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Smith, too, struggled to escape the clutches of a Burnley defence that saw Hjalmar Ekdal replace the tiring Igor midway through the second half.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of tiring

Browse Nearby Words

wishy-washiness
wishy-washy
wising (up)
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Cite this Entry

“Wishy-washy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wishy-washy. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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