milksop
Spineless, feeble person
A milksop is a weak, timid, or ineffectual man—someone lacking courage or backbone.
The word evokes bread soaked in milk, soft baby food, suggesting a man who never grew out of needing to be coddled: Don't be such a milksop—stand up for yourself.
The term is old-fashioned but still used disparagingly.
Timid, feeble person
- weaklingFeeble person
- pushoverEasily defeated opponent
- doormatEntry rug for wiping
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
milquetoast · poltroon · craven · coward · fainthearted · chickenhearted · lily-livered · yellowbelly
Pejorative for effeminate male
- pansyOrnamental garden flower
- weenieFrankfurter or coward
- wimpTimid, feeble person
- wussTimid, weak person
crybaby · baby · softie · sap · wet blanket · drip · nebbish · sad sack
Excessively sheltered or indulged
- spoiledRuined or overindulged
- shelteredKept safe from harm
- overprotectedGuarded to excess
- mollycoddledExcessively protected or indulged
babied · soft · cosseted · indulged · delicate · fragile · tender · precious
wimp
Timid, feeble person
spineless · milquetoast · poltroon · craven · coward · fainthearted · chickenhearted · lily-livered · yellowbelly · jellyfish
sissy
Pejorative for effeminate male
wuss · crybaby · baby · softie · sap · wet blanket · drip · nebbish · sad sack · limp noodle
coddled
Excessively sheltered or indulged
- spoiledRuined or overindulged
- shelteredKept safe from harm
- overprotectedGuarded to excess
mollycoddled · babied · soft · cosseted · indulged · delicate · fragile · tender · precious · dainty
meek
Humbly unassertive
bashful · diffident · mousy · submissive · unassertive · hesitant · retiring · sheepish · cowed · spiritless
bread
Leavened flour product