Milquetoast Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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milquetoast

[ˈmɪlkˌtoʊst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

personality trait

A milquetoast is a timid, weak, or spineless person who lacks assertiveness or courage in social situations.

Synonyms

coward, doormat, weakling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
milquetoast	Best used to describe someone who is timid, unassertive, or easily intimidated. He's too much of a milquetoast to stand up for himself in meetings. Sally's milquetoast attitude makes it hard for her to voice her opinions.
coward	Used to describe someone who is excessively afraid of danger or risk, often with a negative connotation. He was called a coward for not joining the fight. Don't be a coward and face your fears.
weakling	Describes someone who is physically or emotionally weak, often used in a negative or belittling manner. The bully called him a weakling because he couldn't lift the heavy box. She felt like a weakling for not being able to handle the stressful situation.
doormat	A derogatory term for someone who is excessively submissive and allows others to walk all over them. Stop being such a doormat and stand up for yourself. She was tired of being treated like a doormat by her boss.

Examples of usage

He was such a milquetoast that he couldn't even speak up for himself when his boss criticized him.
Don't be such a milquetoast, stand up for what you believe in!

^{Context #2 | Noun}

character in literature

In literature, a milquetoast is often used to describe a character who is easily dominated or controlled by others, lacking in strength of character or willpower.

Synonyms

passive, spineless, submissive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
milquetoast	Used when referring to someone who is very timid or lacks assertiveness. Often implies that the person is overly compliant and too scared to stand up for themselves. He was such a milquetoast that he never spoke up in meetings, even when he had great ideas
spineless	Used to describe someone who lacks courage or determination. This word carries a strong negative connotation and suggests a lack of moral strength. He was so spineless that he couldn't even stand up to his younger brother
submissive	Refers to someone who is willing to obey others and accept their decisions without question. This word can have a negative connotation, implying a lack of independence or self-respect. She was in a very submissive relationship, always doing what he wanted without voicing her own opinions
passive	Describes someone who allows things to happen without taking action or making their own decisions. Often perceived as neutral or weak, but not necessarily negative. Her passive attitude made it hard for her to lead the team effectively

Examples of usage

The protagonist of the novel was a milquetoast who allowed the antagonist to manipulate him at every turn.
She portrayed him as a milquetoast, always giving in to the demands of others.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'milquetoast'

The term 'milquetoast' originated from the comic strip character Caspar Milquetoast, created by H.T. Webster in the 1920s. The character was a weak, timid man who was constantly bullied and pushed around. The term has since become synonymous with someone who is timid or spineless in popular culture.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,101, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.

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