wishy-washiness
Fence-sitting as habit
Wishy-washiness is the quality of being vague, indecisive, or lacking firm convictions.
Someone accused of wishy-washiness won't commit to a clear position: His wishy-washiness on the issue frustrated both sides.
The word carries a dismissive tone, suggesting weakness rather than thoughtful deliberation.
Inability to choose
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- irresolutionLack of firm decision
fence-sitting · shilly-shallying · equivocation · waffling · oscillation · tentativeness · second-guessing · noncommittal
Lack of strength
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- timidityFearful lack of courage
- faint-heartednessLack of resolve
- meeknessGentle, unassertive disposition
gutlessness · namby-pamby · milquetoast · pushover · doormat · jellyfish · cowardice · submissiveness
Emotionally at odds
- tornPulled into pieces
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- doubtLack of firm belief
- quandaryState of perplexity
unsureness · divided · lukewarm · half-hearted · tepid · unenthusiastic · qualified · reservations
Openness to multiple interpretations
- evasivenessTendency to avoid directness
- nebulousnessQuality of being indistinct
- muddinessLack of clarity
- hazinessState of being unclear
obscurity · fuzziness · indefiniteness · noncommittal · imprecision · unclear · mealy-mouthed · hedging
vacillation
Inability to choose
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
irresolution · fence-sitting · shilly-shallying · equivocation · waffling · oscillation · tentativeness · second-guessing · noncommittal · teetering
feebleness
Lack of strength
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- timidityFearful lack of courage
- faint-heartednessLack of resolve
meekness · gutlessness · namby-pamby · milquetoast · pushover · doormat · jellyfish · cowardice · submissiveness · limp
conflicted
Emotionally at odds
- tornPulled into pieces
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- doubtLack of firm belief
quandary · unsureness · divided · lukewarm · half-hearted · tepid · unenthusiastic · qualified · reservations · misgivings
ambiguity
Openness to multiple interpretations
- evasivenessTendency to avoid directness
- nebulousnessQuality of being indistinct
- muddinessLack of clarity
haziness · obscurity · fuzziness · indefiniteness · noncommittal · imprecision · unclear · mealy-mouthed · hedging · circumlocution
- changeabilityvariability, mutability, fickleness, inconstancy, instability
wishy-washinessresolve
Firmness of purpose
decisiveness · firmness · determination · resoluteness · commitment
wishy-washinessbackbone
Vertebral column, or courage
fortitude · grit · spine · strength of will · iron will
wishy-washinessdefiniteness
Quality of being exact
clarity · directness · forthrightness · unambiguousness · plainspokenness
wishy-washy, wish, wash, wishes, wished, wishing, wishful, wishfully, washes