Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective coy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of coy are bashful, diffident, modest, and shy. While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," coy implies a pretended shyness.

put off by her coy manner

Where would bashful be a reasonable alternative to coy?

While in some cases nearly identical to coy, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.

a bashful boy out on his first date

When would diffident be a good substitute for coy?

While the synonyms diffident and coy are close in meaning, diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking.

felt diffident about raising an objection

When is it sensible to use modest instead of coy?

The meanings of modest and coy largely overlap; however, modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit.

modest about her success

When could shy be used to replace coy?

In some situations, the words shy and coy are roughly equivalent. However, shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others.

shy with strangers

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of coy Samsung is being coy about what exactly is being launched, but the company started the teaser trailers this week. Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 And after playing it coy for the first part of the promotional tour for the show back in 2020, the two had to reveal that nothing was going on between them, breaking fans' hearts across the globe. Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 10 May 2025 Tim Lammers The maybe-sort of answer is the latest in the coy responses the creative collaborators have given for months. Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 The Kremlin had been coy on whether the Russian president would attend the talks, with Putin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, sidestepping reporters’ questions on the topic. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for coy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coy
Adjective
  • However, Wicked arrived on Peacock on March 21, just shy of four months after the film opened in theaters.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Measuring over 4 feet tall and just shy of two feet wide, this charming furniture find offers loads of storage in both top and bottom compartments.
    Alexandra Kay, People.com, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Often, people that indulge in this type of culture are considered anti-social or withdrawn, a stereotype that has been passed around for years.
    Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
  • People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent.
    Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Cavallari questioned if Jowsey was ready for a relationship given his flirtatious behavior.
    Liza Esquibias, People.com, 12 June 2025
  • Then there's also Meg's best friend, Amy's flirtatious mentor, and Beth's first love.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • But that hasn't stopped Chisholm, who is not bashful about adding chains and non-uniform colors to his look, from getting criticism.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • One time in particular, Fisher called him out for being a bit bashful about their Star Wars fame, Hamill recounted in a new interview on NPR's Fresh Air — like any good sister would.
    EW.com, EW.com, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Norma Shearer, an M-G-M star who became his wife, told the tale of meeting him for the first time and taking him for a demure office boy.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
  • There were Hmong women with a certain style that never hit the pop culture radar: Tough, streetwise, cocksure and confident, deeply devoted to their families, friends and culture, but not the least bit demure or deferential.
    Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Coy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coy. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on coy

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