namby-pambies
/ˈnæmbi ˈpæmbiz/
NOUN
1. Cowardly and lacking courage
People who are timid, fearful, or unwilling to face danger, difficulty, or confrontation because they lack courage or determination.
1.1. Cowardice and lack of bravery
Used to describe people who are easily frightened, avoid challenging situations, or lack the courage to stand up for themselves or others.
Synonyms
- cowards
- wimps
- wusses
- wussies
- weaklings
- mice
- nervous Nellies
Antonyms
- mensches
- stalwarts
Examples
- The tough drill sergeant dismissed any recruits who appeared to be namby-pambies.
- The adventure required resilience, not the company of namby-pambies.
- The horror movie was not for the faint-hearted; it was no place for namby-pambies.
Related Words
- timidity
- fearfulness
- spinelessness
- faintheartedness
- pusillanimity
- bravery
- courage
1.2. Weak-willed and easily dominated people
Used for people who lack firmness, independence, or assertiveness and are easily influenced, intimidated, or controlled by others.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- mensches
- stalwarts
Examples
- The manager's decision disappointed the team, as it seemed like a move for namby-pambies.
- In the face of adversity, he sought friends who were anything but namby-pambies.
Related Words
- submissiveness
- passivity
- compliance
- indecisiveness
- assertiveness
- self-confidence
- independence
NOUN
2. Weakly sentimental or affected expression
Talk or writing characterized by excessive sentimentality, artificial prettiness, or an insipid and overly delicate emotional style.
2.1. Overly sentimental language and writing
Used to describe speech or written expression that is excessively emotional, sugary, sentimental, or artificially delicate rather than strong, sincere, or substantial.
Synonyms
- sentimentalism
- mawkishness
- saccharinity
- soppiness
- cloyingness
- twee
- affected prettiness
Related Words
- sentimentality
- affectation
- insipidity
- saccharine
- overemotionality
- melodrama