wishywashy

Wishywashy is an informal adjective used to describe someone or something that is indecisive, lacking firm opinions, or prone to changing their mind frequently. It conveys a sense of vagueness or uncertainty.

The term often implies a lack of conviction or a reluctance to commit to a particular stance. For example, a wishywashy politician might struggle to articulate clear policies, or a wishywashy response to a question might avoid providing a direct answer. The word is generally considered pejorative, suggesting a weakness or an inability to be firm.

Its origins are somewhat unclear, but it is thought to be imitative of the sound of wavering or indecisiveness. It is commonly used in everyday conversation and informal writing. While not a formal term in academic or technical contexts, it serves as a vivid descriptor for a particular type of behavior or characteristic. The opposite of wishywashy would be decisive, firm, or resolute.