1
: lacking in courage or self-confidence
a timid person
2
: lacking in boldness or determination
a timid policy
Synonyms of timid
Examples of timid in a Sentence
She's very timid and shy when meeting strangers.
He gave her a timid smile.
Recent Examples on the Web
One of the earliest of American masculinity influencers was President Theodore Roosevelt, who touted his own transformation from a timid, effeminate man – local presses mocked him in his early career – to a rugged outdoorsman.
—
Miriam Eve Mora, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Sergio Romano and Pierpaolo Capovilla star as two fifty-something men from Italy’s northern Veneto area who befriend a timid student from Naples, played by Filippo Scotti.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
In the original clip, Annie looked timid and scared.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
But even Patton’s weather prayer looks timid next to Hegseth’s impious rage.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for timid
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.
Miriam Eve Mora, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Sergio Romano and Pierpaolo Capovilla star as two fifty-something men from Italy’s northern Veneto area who befriend a timid student from Naples, played by Filippo Scotti.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
In the original clip, Annie looked timid and scared.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
But even Patton’s weather prayer looks timid next to Hegseth’s impious rage.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for timid
Cite this Entry
“Timid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timid. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
