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wishy-washy

[ wish-ee-wosh-ee, -waw-shee ]

/ ˈwɪʃ iˌwɒʃ i, -ˌwɔ ʃi /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR wishy-washy ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

lacking in decisiveness; without strength or character; irresolute.

washy or watery, as a liquid; thin and weak.

Origin of wishy-washy

First recorded in 1685–95; gradational compound based on washy

OTHER WORDS FROM wishy-washy

wish·y-wash·i·ly, adverb wish·y-wash·i·ness, noun

Words nearby wishy-washy

wishbone boom, wishful, wishful thinking, wishing well, wisht, wishy-washy, wiskott-aldrich syndrome, wislany zalew, wismar, wisp, wispy

Example sentences from the Web for wishy-washy

But his Republican party in Washington considers this conservative too wishy-washy to be prime GOP material.

Nevada Guv Faces Fans and Foes in Reelection |Lloyd Green |March 18, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Were his wishy-washy answers in the debate merely an attempt to fool the center into voting for an Islamist candidate?

Egyptian Elections: There Is No Clear Frontrunner in a Crowded Field |Mahmoud Salem |May 23, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
He is like an over-shot mill, one everlastin' wishy-washy stream.'

The Attache |Thomas Chandler Haliburton
I should think that Mr. Reed would have about as much respect for a namby-pamby novel as he has for a wishy-washy politician.

McClure's Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 5, October 1893 |Various

They have stimulated me so far to produce two lectures of wishy-washy generalities.

The Letters of William James, Vol. II |William James
Lotties reputation is in danger—she must be saved—no wishy-washy work now.

The White Rose of Memphis |William C. Falkner
Well, the whole trick consists in pilfering his originality, and dishing it up with the wishy-washy sauce of the School of Arts!

His Masterpiece |Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for wishy-washy

wishy-washy

/ (ˈwɪʃɪˌwɒʃɪ) /

adjective informal

lacking in substance, force, colour, etc

watery; thin

Derived forms of wishy-washy

wishy-washily, adverb wishy-washiness, noun