diffidence
noun
dif·fi·dence
ˈdi-fə-dən(t)s 
-fə-ˌden(t)s
: the quality or state of being unassertive or bashful : the quality or state of being diffident
Examples of diffidence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Norman Mailer wrote with an unstable mixture of self-indulgence and self-awareness, bravado and diffidence, glibness and bracing honesty, macho posturing and an almost sheepish gentleness.
—
Andrew Delbanco, The New York Review of Books, 28 Mar. 2024
The people who’ve worked with her, however, describe an impressive resolve beneath the diffidence.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024
Most foreigners are perplexed by the flagrant air of diffidence and dilettantism with which former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other contemporary Brexiteers have ruled the United Kingdom.
—Simon Kuper, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2022
The simultaneous inward intensity of feeling and outward diffidence, the emotional and moral dangers of simulation, the hot alien beauty of the city ...
—Boris Kachka, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2023
Despite her diffidence about feminist smugness, there’s no shortage of reflexive feminist mockery of men, though also a wonderful passage about the special female thrill in locating the tender heart of the brute.
—Laura Kipnis, The New Republic, 5 May 2023
Holga’s comments begin to sound one-note, and patience wears thin with Simon’s diffidence and Doric’s indifference.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2023
One video shows the two cats at their first meeting exhibiting mutual curiosity and typical feline diffidence.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2023
One lesson of the book is that people reared in places saturated with complicated racial meanings ought to treat their convictions about race with diffidence and perhaps with suspicion.
—Paul C. Taylor, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2022
Andrew Delbanco, The New York Review of Books, 28 Mar. 2024
The people who’ve worked with her, however, describe an impressive resolve beneath the diffidence.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024
Most foreigners are perplexed by the flagrant air of diffidence and dilettantism with which former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other contemporary Brexiteers have ruled the United Kingdom.
—Simon Kuper, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2022
The simultaneous inward intensity of feeling and outward diffidence, the emotional and moral dangers of simulation, the hot alien beauty of the city ...
—Boris Kachka, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2023
Despite her diffidence about feminist smugness, there’s no shortage of reflexive feminist mockery of men, though also a wonderful passage about the special female thrill in locating the tender heart of the brute.
—Laura Kipnis, The New Republic, 5 May 2023
Holga’s comments begin to sound one-note, and patience wears thin with Simon’s diffidence and Doric’s indifference.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2023
One video shows the two cats at their first meeting exhibiting mutual curiosity and typical feline diffidence.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2023
One lesson of the book is that people reared in places saturated with complicated racial meanings ought to treat their convictions about race with diffidence and perhaps with suspicion.
—Paul C. Taylor, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diffidence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near diffidence
Cite this Entry
“Diffidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diffidence. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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