i Register
In some senses, milquetoast is marked as derogatory, informal. Watch for register when choosing this word.
milquetoast
UK /ˈmɪlktəʊst/ US /ˈmɪlkˌtoʊst/
adj 2noun 2
Collocations
5ADJ.
alternative, under, under
VERB + MILQUETOAST
enjoy, operating
MILQUETOAST + NOUN
german, government, guy, jerk, middle-of-the-road, milchspeise, policies, reporters
PREP.
with
ADV.
only, really
Definitions
adj
1
Meek, timid; lacking character or effectiveness.
The truth is that we are cursed with a "milquetoast" Government operating under "milquetoast" policies. Fear has become a national policy.
If Bach had any guts, he wouldn't take that. He's too much of a Milquetoast guy.
noun
1
A person of meek or timid disposition; a person who lacks character or effectiveness.
We know that theology must be common to all believers, but again we also know that some enjoy only milquetoast (german milchspeise), while others can eat solid food, and that one and the same truth is apprehended in different ways, for it is not possible to accommodate all these ways to the grasp of all, while not depriving them of the truth itself.
The Milquetoasts of this world seldom wake up in time to get tough effectively, Mr. [Harold Tucker] Webster fears. [...] Webster considers him a worthy citizen—of the kind that had better begin to show a little more spunk before it is too late.
adj
1
Alternative letter-case form of milquetoast.
If Bach had any guts, he wouldn't take that. He's too much of a Milquetoast guy.
Like that well-meaning mom, parents employ Milquetoast speech whenever they whine, complain, plead, entreat, entice, bribe, and explain themselves persuasively.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
noun — a timid man or boy considered childish or unassertive
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
The truth is that we are cursed with a "milquetoast" Government operating under "milquetoast" policies. Fear has become a national policy.
Wiktionary02
If Bach had any guts, he wouldn't take that. He's too much of a Milquetoast guy.
Wiktionary03
I should have listened to my mother when she told me to stay out of journalism because of idiot milquetoast jerk reporters like you!
Wiktionary04
We know that theology must be common to all believers, but again we also know that some enjoy only milquetoast (german milchspeise), while others can eat solid food, and that one and the same truth is
Wiktionary05
The Milquetoasts of this world seldom wake up in time to get tough effectively, Mr. [Harold Tucker] Webster fears. [...] Webster considers him a worthy citizen—of the kind that had better begin to sho
Wiktionary06
The Milquetoasts of this world are the victims of the steamrollers. I used to be numbered among the Milquetoasts and was periodically used or flattened! I came to realize, however, that even though Ch
WiktionaryUsage Notes
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