without firm methods or policy; weak or indecisive

namby-pamby handling of juvenile offenders.

lacking in character, directness, or moral or emotional strength

namby-pamby writing.

weakly sentimental, pretentious, or affected; insipid.

a namby-pamby person

written by and for namby-pambies.

namby-pamby sentiment

the harmless namby-pamby of a birthday card.

namby-pamby verse or prose.

noun

baby * , caitiff , chicken * , chicken heart , chicken liver , coward , cry-baby , fraidy-cat , jellyfish , lily liver , milksop , momma’s boy , pantywaist , quitter , scaredy cat , sissy * , weakling , wimp , wuss , wussy , yellow , yellow belly , banal , inane , innocuous , insipid , sapless , sentimental , spineless , weak , wishy-washy

adjective

bland , innocuous , jejune , vapid , washy , waterish , watery