mealymouthed
Afraid of directness
Mealymouthed describes someone who avoids speaking plainly or directly, especially to avoid giving offense or committing to a position.
The word suggests evasiveness, excessive caution, or insincere politeness: a mealymouthed politician who won't answer a straight question.
It carries contempt for the speaker's lack of candor or courage.
Uncertain in meaning
- prevaricateSpeak misleadingly to deceive
- hedgeBoundary of planted shrubs
- sidestepEvade by moving aside
- dodgeAvoid by quick movement
noncommittal · circumlocutory · oblique · roundabout · periphrastic · sidestepping · fudge · deflect
Lacking courage or resolve
- weak-kneedLacking resolve or courage
- wishy-washyLacking firmness or decisiveness
- namby-pambyFeebly sentimental or weak-willed
- milquetoastMeek, unassertive person
lily-livered · gutless · cowardly · meek · diffident · submissive · unassertive · mousy
Feigning ignorance or innocence
- hypocriticalFeigning beliefs one lacks
- two-facedInsincere and deceptive
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
- sycophanticServilely flattering
flattering · fawning · obsequious · smooth-talking · glib · slick · oily · smarmy
Cleansed of contaminants
- softenedMade less severe
- sugarcoatedMade artificially pleasant
- whitewashedConcealed with false appearance
- watered-downReduced in strength
bland · anodyne · inoffensive · diplomatic · politic · circumspect · guarded · cautious
equivocal
Uncertain in meaning
- prevaricateSpeak misleadingly to deceive
- hedgeBoundary of planted shrubs
- sidestepEvade by moving aside
dodge · noncommittal · circumlocutory · oblique · roundabout · periphrastic · sidestepping · fudge · deflect · waffle
spineless
Lacking courage or resolve
- weak-kneedLacking resolve or courage
- wishy-washyLacking firmness or decisiveness
- namby-pambyFeebly sentimental or weak-willed
milquetoast · lily-livered · gutless · cowardly · meek · diffident · submissive · unassertive · mousy · pusillanimous
disingenuous
Feigning ignorance or innocence
- hypocriticalFeigning beliefs one lacks
- two-facedInsincere and deceptive
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
sycophantic · flattering · fawning · obsequious · smooth-talking · glib · slick · oily · smarmy · duplicitous
sanitized
Cleansed of contaminants
- softenedMade less severe
- sugarcoatedMade artificially pleasant
- whitewashedConcealed with false appearance
watered-down · bland · anodyne · inoffensive · diplomatic · politic · circumspect · guarded · cautious · measured
mealymouthedblunt
Dull or tactlessly direct
direct · forthright · straightforward · frank · plain-spoken
mealymouthedoutspoken
Freely expressing opinions
bold · fearless · forthright · uninhibited · assertive
meal, mouths, mouthed, mouthing, mealy, mealworm, mealiness, mealiest, mealier