wishy-washy
Fence-sitting, spineless type
Wishy-washy describes someone or something lacking firmness, decisiveness, or strength of character.
A wishy-washy person can't commit to a position: His wishy-washy response satisfied no one.
The term also applies to things that are weak or watered-down: wishy-washy tea, a wishy-washy compromise.
The reduplication mimics the sound of water sloshing indecisively.
Weak and ineffective
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- ineffectualFailing to achieve purpose
- limpLacking firmness or rigidity
- namby-pambyFeebly sentimental or weak-willed
milquetoast · mealy-mouthed · gutless · bland · toothless · watered-down · diluted · insipid
Swaying between choices
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- irresoluteLacking firmness of purpose
- undecidedNot having chosen
- hesitantSlow to act
ambivalent · uncertain · tentative · equivocal · dithering · noncommittal · fence-sitting · shilly-shally
Not easily understood
ambiguous · nonspecific · imprecise · indefinite · unfocused · evasive · hedging · uncommitted
Capable of alteration
- inconstantProne to fluctuation
- mercurialProne to sudden change
- capriciousSubject to sudden changes
- unreliableNot consistently performing
unpredictable · erratic · flighty · inconsistent · variable · unsteady · blowing hot and cold · flip-flopping
feeble
Weak and ineffective
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- ineffectualFailing to achieve purpose
- limpLacking firmness or rigidity
namby-pamby · milquetoast · mealy-mouthed · gutless · bland · toothless · watered-down · diluted · insipid · vapid
vacillating
Swaying between choices
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- irresoluteLacking firmness of purpose
- undecidedNot having chosen
hesitant · ambivalent · uncertain · tentative · equivocal · dithering · noncommittal · fence-sitting · shilly-shally · uncommitted
unclear
Not easily understood
hazy · ambiguous · nonspecific · imprecise · indefinite · unfocused · evasive · hedging · uncommitted · wooly
changeable
Capable of alteration
- inconstantProne to fluctuation
- mercurialProne to sudden change
- capriciousSubject to sudden changes
unreliable · unpredictable · erratic · flighty · inconsistent · variable · unsteady · blowing hot and cold · flip-flopping
- commitment levelscommitted, dedicated, devoted, loyal, faithful
- indecisionindecision, indecisiveness, conflicted, hesitation, indecisive
- PeanutsCharlie Brown, Snoopy, Woodstock, Lucy, Linus
- Reduplicativesbye-bye, mama, papa, haha, yo-yo
- slang traitsbossy, brainy, bubbly, chatty, cheeky
- Whimsy Wordsgobbledygook, gibberish, mumbo jumbo, hogwash, balderdash