milquetoast

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.

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.

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.