Milk-and-water — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈmilk-ən(d)-ˈwȯ-tər/

Meaning & Definition of Milk-and-water

Milk-and-water (adjective)

  1. weak, insipid

Milk-and-water (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lacking in qualities that make for spirit and character

    "a milk-and-water campaign speech that most likely did not inspire a single person"

    similar: banal, flat, insipid, namby-pamby, watery, wishy-washy
    related: unexciting, uninspiring, unrewarding, bland, boring, drab, dreary, dry, dull, heavy, humdrum, jading, leaden, lifeless, monotonous, pedestrian, ponderous, tedious, tiresome, tiring, uninteresting, vapid, wearisome, weary, wearying, inane, innocuous, inoffensive, mild, soft, subdued, tame, weak, common, commonplace, ordinary, stale, unexceptional
    near: piquant, poignant, pungent, racy, spicy, meaty, substantial, entertaining, exciting, galvanizing, inspiring, invigorating, thrilling

  2. lacking strength of will or character

    "we need to elect a leader with a bold vision, not someone who's been a milk-and-water yes-man all his life"

    similar: characterless, effete, frail, invertebrate, limp-wristed, namby-pamby, nerveless, soft, spineless, weak, weak-kneed, weakened, weakling, wet (British), wimpish, wimpy, wishy-washy
    related: flabby, flaccid, forceless, ineffective, ineffectual, impotent, impuissant, powerless, emasculated, unnerved, lamblike, meek, pliable, submissive, corrupt, dastardly, unprincipled, unscrupulous, villainous, cowardly, craven, fainthearted, lily-livered, nebbishy, poltroon, pusillanimous, sissy, timid, infirm, irresolute, vacillating
    opposite: backboned, firm, hard, strong, tough
    near: ethical, good, moral, principled, right, righteous, upright, virtuous, determined, mettlesome, resolute, unrelenting, courageous, stalwart, stouthearted

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Milk-and-water

The most common words with a similar meaning to Milk-and-water:

British: wet
banal, flat, insipid, namby-pamby, watery, wishy-washy, characterless, effete, frail, invertebrate, limp-wristed, nerveless, soft, spineless, weak, weak-kneed, weakened, weakling, wimpish, wimpy

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Milk-and-water

Words with the opposite meaning of Milk-and-water:

backboned, firm, hard, strong, tough

Related Words for Milk-and-water

unexciting, uninspiring, unrewarding, bland, boring, drab, dreary, dry, dull, heavy, humdrum, jading, leaden, lifeless, monotonous, pedestrian, ponderous, tedious, tiresome, tiring, uninteresting, vapid, wearisome, weary, wearying, inane, innocuous, inoffensive, mild, subdued

Near Antonyms of Milk-and-water

piquant, poignant, pungent, racy, spicy, meaty, substantial, entertaining, exciting, galvanizing, inspiring, invigorating, thrilling, ethical, good, moral, principled, right, righteous, upright, virtuous, determined, mettlesome, resolute, unrelenting, courageous, stalwart, stouthearted

Origin & Etymology of Milk-and-water

First known use: 1753

Frequently Asked Questions about Milk-and-water

What does "Milk-and-water" mean?

"Milk-and-water" means weak, insipid. As an adjective, it is defined as: weak, insipid. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Milk-and-water"?

Other words for "Milk-and-water" include banal, flat, insipid, namby-pamby, watery, wishy-washy, characterless and effete. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Milk-and-water" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Milk-and-water"?

There are 88 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Milk-and-water". Common alternatives include banal, flat, insipid, namby-pamby, watery, wishy-washy, characterless, effete, frail and invertebrate.

What is the opposite of "Milk-and-water"?

Antonyms of "Milk-and-water" include backboned, firm, hard, strong and tough. Near antonyms include piquant, poignant, pungent and racy.

How do you use "Milk-and-water" in a sentence?

Examples of "Milk-and-water" in a sentence: "a milk-and-water campaign speech that most likely did not inspire a single person"; "we need to elect a leader with a bold vision, not someone who's been a milk-and-water yes-man all his life".

Is "Milk-and-water" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Milk-and-water" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Milk-and-water"?

"Milk-and-water" is pronounced /ˈmilk-ən(d)-ˈwȯ-tər/.

What is the origin of the word "Milk-and-water"?

First known use: 1753.