as in shy
not comfortable around people
a sheepish scholar who is most comfortable when surrounded by books
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Recent Examples of sheepish
Red-cheeked and reticent, the duo shook their heads and took their sheepish leave.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
In the first earnings call after its catastrophic rebrand, which triggered an immediate customer backlash and forced a sheepish reversal, the company reported a 5.4% increase in comparable store restaurant sales and a 4.4% revenue gain in fourth quarter 2025, adjusting for the 53rd week in 2024.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Photos from their wedding ceremony, which took place at the Carlton Hotel in Prestwick, Scotland, show a tall, dark-haired man in a suit standing among the other guests — and appearing a bit sheepish — per BBC Scotland.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
As the initially sheepish Lorraine, Ortega does some of her most subtle work here.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheepish
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
In the first earnings call after its catastrophic rebrand, which triggered an immediate customer backlash and forced a sheepish reversal, the company reported a 5.4% increase in comparable store restaurant sales and a 4.4% revenue gain in fourth quarter 2025, adjusting for the 53rd week in 2024.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Photos from their wedding ceremony, which took place at the Carlton Hotel in Prestwick, Scotland, show a tall, dark-haired man in a suit standing among the other guests — and appearing a bit sheepish — per BBC Scotland.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
As the initially sheepish Lorraine, Ortega does some of her most subtle work here.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheepish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheepish
Adjective
-
Kristian Houston was a shy, nervous child who was afraid to speak in front of a crowd.—
Kamal Morgan
February 5,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Continue in the southerly direction, appreciating the gnarled coast live oaks and sound of shy red-eared sliders plopping off their logs into the water.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Flynns’ pompous neighbor, Jim Doherty, a divorcé with a withdrawn, unpleasant son, encourages Catherine’s artistic rebirth.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Off-screen, Affleck has a slightly rougher star persona, while Damon’s can be a little more withdrawn and intellectual.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Next was a bashful grad student from Columbia’s engineering school who could not make eye contact.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
15 Dec. 2025
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If a good time is picking up steam, San Diegans aren’t bashful about jumping on a Happy Train’s caboose.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The Huskies are the lone undefeated team left in women's college basketball.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The Huskies are the lone undefeated team left in women’s college basketball.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sheepish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheepish. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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