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 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 Davide Costa stars as Cady’s wishy-washy romantic partner Aaron and Ryan Perry Marks is Kevin, the frenetic leader of the school math club. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 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 The entire, chaotic saga—a wishy-washy White House, confused statements from populist and tech-elite Trump whisperers—is only the latest in a long string of strange, often contradictory AI-policy positions. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 3 June 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
  • Focusing on efficiency and tools results in recycled, bland posts that are obviously inauthentic and can do as much harm as good to the organization's brand.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • But together, the whole is blander than the sum of its parts—a subtle banality humans can often implicitly sense.
    — Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 29 June 2026
Definition of bland
Adjective
  • Still, the opposite tack—sanctions and isolation—has neither made the Iranian regime weaker nor made its behavior better.
    — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • And it should never be used to paper over weak management, chronic overload, or unresolved conflict.
    — Rick Tollakson, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • Far fewer people stay responsible when the work turns boring, unclear or inconvenient, and that's precisely when ownership surfaces.
    — Somdutta Singh, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Monocultures can be boring, but on the flipside, a huge collection of individual species looks like a busy bowl of potpourri.
    — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • The bacterium can also lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication that is more common in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, according to the release.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
  • While anyone can get sick, young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to become seriously ill.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2026
Definition of weakened
Adjective
  • 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
  • Faced with insipid economic growth, politicians have not taken the action necessary to spark a resurgence, such as capital and digital markets reform, lower levels of regulation and lower business taxes.
    — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 21 May 2026
Definition of insipid
Adjective
  • Play soft music to drown out fireworks blasts and give your pet something to do, like putting treats inside an interactive toy, to keep them calm and happy.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • This relaxed pick is incredibly soft, really cute, and surprisingly easy to style.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 3 July 2026
Definition of soft
Adjective
  • But all work and no play can make for a dull chief scientific officer.
    — Ed Silverman, STAT, 2 July 2026
  • The great speculators became talkative and communicative or dull, sullen, silent, and peevish.
    — Owen Lamont, Fortune, 2 July 2026
Definition of dull
Adjective
  • The 90 minutes or more will be highly physical and tiring, and only one will remain standing at the end.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026
  • The head coach was clumsy in his response, saying — in effect — that the player is better suited to being an impact substitute and taking advantage of tiring opposition defenders.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 June 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 9 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of wishy-washy for Spanish Speakers

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