Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective coy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of coy are bashful, diffident, modest, and shy. While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," coy implies a pretended shyness.

put off by her coy manner

Where would bashful be a reasonable alternative to coy?

While in some cases nearly identical to coy, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.

a bashful boy out on his first date

When would diffident be a good substitute for coy?

While the synonyms diffident and coy are close in meaning, diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking.

felt diffident about raising an objection

When is it sensible to use modest instead of coy?

The meanings of modest and coy largely overlap; however, modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit.

modest about her success

When could shy be used to replace coy?

In some situations, the words shy and coy are roughly equivalent. However, shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others.

shy with strangers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of coy Meanwhile, Lear has been much more coy about her identity. Abigail Adams, People.com, 12 June 2025 Donaldson was coy when asked about the return during a panel for Deadline’s Contenders Television: Documentary, Unscripted & Variety event. Peter White, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2025 To his credit, David has remained open to different possibilities while also coy about his future. Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025 Even if jobs were created, EV advocates are coy about how many of those jobs would benefit existing autoworkers. Ashley Nunes, Boston Herald, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for coy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coy
Adjective
  • Guests did not shy from donning some of the designer’s more out-there creations.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
  • Talk about Travis Scott starts just shy of the 1:30 mark.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Madelyn Cline went full-on Old Hollywood bombshell, kittenish liner, polished lengths, and all.
    Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2023
  • With a basis of flawless skin—smoothing and hydration offered via Kylie Skin Face Moisturizer and Eye Cream—Phillips pulled a thick wing of black liner along Jenner's lids, a diminutive wing beneath the lower lashline providing a kittenish complement.
    Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2021
Adjective
  • Often, people that indulge in this type of culture are considered anti-social or withdrawn, a stereotype that has been passed around for years.
    Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
  • People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent.
    Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • The network includes federal agent Brian Higgins, who exchanged flirtatious text messages with Read, leading the defense to question if that led to a fatal confrontation.
    Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025
  • Jane told Diddy’s defense lawyer there was flirtatious banter between her and the rapper.
    Lauryn Overhultz , Maria Paronich , Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • There are dozens of people screaming his name and the young Ronaldo appears bashful and shy.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • But that hasn't stopped Chisholm, who is not bashful about adding chains and non-uniform colors to his look, from getting criticism.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • One of the outfits, however, saw Madonna stepping out of her edgy comfort zone and into something more demure.
    Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 18 June 2025
  • At the same time, a more demure set of scientists was quietly laying the foundation for the renovation of social Darwinism in mainstream biological thinking.
    Erik Baker, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Coy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coy. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on coy

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