Synonyms of coy

coy

adjective

ˈkȯi 

1

as in coquettish

affecting shyness or modesty in order to attract masculine interest

not wanting him to know that she was interested in him, she acted very coy at the dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• coquettish
• kittenish
• flirtatious
• demure
• girlish
• flirty
• prudish
• priggish
• prim
• overmodest
• governessy
• goody-goody

2

as in shy

not comfortable around people

a coy toddler who hides whenever anyone comes to the house

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shy
• withdrawn
• bashful
• lone
• sheepish
• diffident
• modest
• demure
• retiring
• backward
• introverted
• recessive
• self-effacing
• awkward
• embarrassed
• reserved
• antisocial
• unsociable
• unassertive
• unsocial
• uneasy
• lone-wolf
• uptight
• unadventurous
• self-conscious
• inhibited
• unenterprising

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outgoing
• immodest
• extroverted
• social
• gregarious
• sociable
• companionable
• convivial
• bold
• forceful
• boon
• dashing
• uninhibited
• brash
• clubbable
• forward
• unreserved
• overbold

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

Recent Examples of coy

Aguilera was coy in her pose, covering her chest while displaying her cleavage and letting her jewelry do the talking. —Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026

To play it coy and never give too much away. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026

Hospitals were somewhat coy over their use of AI. —Bob Herman, STAT, 20 Jan. 2026

What Youngkin will do next is unclear yet, and when pressed about aspiring to the White House, the outgoing governor remained coy. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 17 Jan. 2026