milquetoast

[ milk-tohst ]

/ ˈmɪlkˌtoʊst /

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See synonyms for milquetoast on Thesaurus.com

noun (sometimes initial capital letter)

a very timid, unassertive, spineless person, especially one who is easily dominated or intimidated:a milquetoast who's afraid to ask for a raise.

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Also called Caspar Milquetoast.

Origin of milquetoast

1935–40, Americanism; after Caspar Milquetoast, a character in The Timid Soul, comic strip by H. T. Webster (1885–1952), American cartoonist

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH milquetoast

milk toast, milquetoast

Words nearby milquetoast

Milosevic, Slobodan, Milosz, milpa, milphosis, Milpitas, milquetoast, M.I.L.R., milreis, Milroy's disease, Milstein, milt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use milquetoast in a sentence

Speaking of milquetoast, Congress had the chance to pass legislation that could address the myriad threats to climate stability, food security, biodiversity, and the rest of our ecological health.
Everything You Need to Know About the State of the Environment in 2022|lwhelan|January 6, 2022|Outside Online
Depending on who you ask, the problem is either too much “wokeness” on the progressive side or too much milquetoast moderation from the centrists.
The limits of popularism|Sean Illing|November 22, 2021|Vox
Getting it right can be the difference between a milquetoast conversion rate and driving huge value for your clients and stakeholders.
What does crypto have to do with SEO and PPC?; Thursday’s daily brief|Carolyn Lyden|September 2, 2021|Search Engine Land
The late PBS anchor Jim Lehrer, described recently by Politico columnist Jack Shafer as the “paladin of the milquetoast,” moderated but did nothing more than choose audience members to ask questions.
Cigarettes, Sewage and a Giant Perot: Inside San Diego’s Own Presidential Debate|Randy Dotinga|October 7, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Either way, he stood out in a country whose media industry is often criticized for its milquetoast manner.
Canada’s Subversive Sock Puppet: Ed the Sock Isn’t Afraid to Say Anything|Soraya Roberts|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Can music be both milquetoast and hard-hitting at the same time?
Jennifer Lopez’s ‘A.K.A.’ Is Terrible. What Happened to Her Music?|Kevin Fallon|June 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Imagine—if EOB had been knocked down—a postwar milquetoast, boxy structure in its place.
President Obama Eyes New Oval Office While the White House Undergoes Renovations|Lauren Ashburn|February 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Hence, all the agreeing with Obama, all the adopting of milquetoast positions.
Debate III: Obama Wins, But Does It Do Him Any Good?|Michael Tomasky|October 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In contrast, Santorum's milquetoast “disagreement” looks pathetic and unpresidential.
“Get Out!” Says Christian-Supremacist Pastor. Does Rick Santorum Agree?|Jay Michaelson|March 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for milquetoast

milquetoast

/ (ˈmɪlkˌtəʊst) /

noun

US and Canadian a meek, submissive, or timid person

Word Origin for milquetoast

C20: from Caspar Milquetoast, a cartoon character invented by H. T. Webster (1885–1952)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

milquetoast

Origin of milquetoast

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH milquetoast

Words nearby milquetoast

Words related to milquetoast

How to use milquetoast in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for milquetoast

Word Origin for milquetoast