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
The siblings have different personalities, according to their keepers; Xiao Xiao is timid while his sister Lei Lei is fearless and adapts to changes quickly.
—
Chris Lau, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Oswald’s timid Ludie is gentle, sad and almost childlike in his lack of assertiveness toward his wife.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
This time around, Frey has been less timid.
—Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
In the film, McAdams plays Linda, a timid employee who is stranded on a desert island with her sleazy boss (Dylan O’Brien) and begins to resort to a more primal personality.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for timid
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Chris Lau, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Oswald’s timid Ludie is gentle, sad and almost childlike in his lack of assertiveness toward his wife.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
This time around, Frey has been less timid.
—Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
In the film, McAdams plays Linda, a timid employee who is stranded on a desert island with her sleazy boss (Dylan O’Brien) and begins to resort to a more primal personality.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 20 Jan. 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 27 Jan. 2026.
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