mugwump
Aloof party deserter
A mugwump is someone who remains aloof or independent, especially in politics—refusing to align with a party or faction.
The term originated in 1880s American politics for Republicans who bolted from their party.
Now it suggests fence-sitting or self-righteous detachment: He's a mugwump who won't commit to either side.
Free from external control
- nonpartisanNot aligned politically
- unaffiliatedNot formally connected
- neutralNot favoring any side
- undecidedNot having chosen
uncommitted · centrist · moderate · nonaligned · fence-sitter · waverer · straddler · equivocator
American endurance artist
- ClevelandNortheast Ohio metropolis
- reformerAgent of institutional improvement
- RepublicanGOP party member
- 1884A calendar year
bolter · anti-corruption · patronage · reform · Grover · James · election · defector
One avoiding commitment
- wimpTimid, feeble person
- wafflerOne who hesitates endlessly
- pushoverEasily defeated opponent
- sissyPejorative for effeminate male
milquetoast · weakling · invertebrate · jellyfish · doormat · namby-pamby · coward · ditherer
Apart or uninvolved
- standoffishUnfriendly in manner
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
- superiorHigher in rank
haughty · sanctimonious · preachy · priggish · snobbish · elitist · disdainful · supercilious
independent
Free from external control
- nonpartisanNot aligned politically
- unaffiliatedNot formally connected
- neutralNot favoring any side
undecided · uncommitted · centrist · moderate · nonaligned · fence-sitter · waverer · straddler · equivocator · trimmer
Blaine
American endurance artist
- ClevelandNortheast Ohio metropolis
- reformerAgent of institutional improvement
- RepublicanGOP party member
1884 · bolter · anti-corruption · patronage · reform · Grover · James · election · defector · progressive
fence-sitter
One avoiding commitment
sissy · milquetoast · weakling · invertebrate · jellyfish · doormat · namby-pamby · coward · ditherer · wet-blanket
detached
Apart or uninvolved
- standoffishUnfriendly in manner
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
superior · haughty · sanctimonious · preachy · priggish · snobbish · elitist · disdainful · supercilious · condescending
- indigenous loanwordsmoccasin, tomahawk, totem, wigwam, kayak
- Sci-Fi/Fantasywand, spell, potion, rune, incantation
- fence sittersfence sitter, waverer, hesitator, ditherer, swing voter
mugwumployalist
Faithful supporter of authority
party loyalist · partisan · party man · party faithful · stalwart