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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wishy-washy
Meanwhile, Minneapolis' Twin Cities Pride rejected Target's sponsorship dollars citing wishy-washy support of the LGBTQ+ community and its DEI rollbacks.
—
Eleanor Hawkins, Axios, 8 May 2025
Even last season, with a wishy-washy regular-season defense, Indiana allowed the lowest 3-point attempt rate in the NBA, according to Cleaning The Glass.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Though perhaps that ambiguity is also the result of some wishy-washy writing.
—Shannon Keating, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025
Worry less about appearing wishy-washy as Mercury goes retrograde.
—USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
Read: His daughter was America’s first measles death in a decade
Kennedy’s wishy-washy comments about the measles vaccine may persuade more parents not to vaccinate their children—which means that more children will get sick, and perhaps die.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
Nor did anyone blink when Shonda Rhimes set Scandal within the White House of a wishy-washy, adulterous GOP President who’d unwittingly stolen an election.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
Lewis Lupton Photo: Bravo/Vincent Cerone/Bravo Bosun Below Deck Adventure
Season 1
—
Usually bosuns are too overbearing, but this one was too wishy-washy.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2024
Not wishy-washy George Clooney, not low-life Mark Ruffalo, not obnoxious Edward Norton, not freaky boho Johnny Depp, not wimpy Ryan Gosling or nondescript Glen Powell.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Dec. 2024
Eleanor Hawkins, Axios, 8 May 2025
Even last season, with a wishy-washy regular-season defense, Indiana allowed the lowest 3-point attempt rate in the NBA, according to Cleaning The Glass.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Though perhaps that ambiguity is also the result of some wishy-washy writing.
—Shannon Keating, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025
Worry less about appearing wishy-washy as Mercury goes retrograde.
—USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
Read: His daughter was America’s first measles death in a decade
Kennedy’s wishy-washy comments about the measles vaccine may persuade more parents not to vaccinate their children—which means that more children will get sick, and perhaps die.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
Nor did anyone blink when Shonda Rhimes set Scandal within the White House of a wishy-washy, adulterous GOP President who’d unwittingly stolen an election.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
Lewis Lupton Photo: Bravo/Vincent Cerone/Bravo Bosun Below Deck Adventure
Season 1
—
Usually bosuns are too overbearing, but this one was too wishy-washy.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2024
Not wishy-washy George Clooney, not low-life Mark Ruffalo, not obnoxious Edward Norton, not freaky boho Johnny Depp, not wimpy Ryan Gosling or nondescript Glen Powell.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wishy-washy
Adjective
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But products also became more bland, predictable and stripped of individuality.—
Wolfgang Messner,
The Conversation,
2 June 2025
-
The show never figures out what to do with Alvarez’s Gael, leaving a bland center to several more of those twists in the last episode.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In sum, there is a weak case, at best, for some kind of standardization of non-financial KPIs.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
-
Feeling Unusually Tired or Lacking Energy Protein is a crucial energy source, so when lacking, a person can feel weak and unusually exhausted—mentally, physically, or both.—
Jonathan Purtell,
Verywell Health,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Corner infielders Carlos Santana (1B, CLE): The definition of boring and solid.—
Owen Poindexter,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
-
These pre-seasoned staples can revive boring veggies or fix a bland soup in no time flat.—
Sarah Felbin,
SELF,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Brazil were insipid at last summer’s Copa America and have gone downhill since.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Little Dog asks, an insipid comparison that illuminates only the fungibility of abstract nouns.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
In language the rest of us can understand that means a slightly softer and more mellow click that’s quieter and less harsh than teh average mechanical keyboard.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
-
In the play’s most beautiful moments, Smart recites Izzy’s poems in a sweet-bourbon croon—wafting, careful, soft.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
There are a few family members who only wear olive, mustard, khaki, black and other dull colors; clunky, unattractive shoes; and few accessories.—
Judith Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2025
-
Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5 is no exception, which shines with its abilities to reduce the look of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and overall dull skin.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
The 35-year-old started 22 of the 24 games Cronenworth missed with a fractured rib and was clearly tiring at the end, going 3-for-30 in his final nine starts.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2025
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Bradley was clearly tiring, having struggled at times defensively in the second half.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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The movie surrounding it, however, seems determined to make the extraordinary seem as bumper-sticker simple and banal as humanly possible.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
5 June 2025
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But lawmakers and the nonpartisan office that advises them have taken issue with the timing of the seemingly banal change.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wishy-washy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wishy-washy. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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