as in kittenish
affecting shyness or modesty in order to attract masculine interest
an 18th-century painting of a coquettish maiden dallying with a young moonstruck gallant
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coquettish
Adjective
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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
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The real Democratic conversation about a post-Trump agenda won’t get underway until 2027, when their presidential candidates stop being so coy about what brought them to Charleston and Nashua.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
18 July 2025
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After the former Philadelphia Eagles player saw his brother's reaction, Travis gave him a coy shrug.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, whose recent flirtatious behavior towards one another has raised eyebrows, are just two of Hollywood's mega-stars who have sparked romance rumors from handsy, red-carpet appearances.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
29 July 2025
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Others might explore a work relationship that turns romantic or flirtatious.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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For the more demure, go for a cheese that whispers rather than shouts.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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The best way into the whole trend is to go with something more demure and less literal, perhaps: like a cocktail tray rimmed with glossy olives or wall art that traps your food of choice behind glass.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
2 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Coquettish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coquettish. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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