coyness

Definition of coynessnext
as in coquetry
the attitude or behavior of one who insincerely courts the amorous attentions of others an actress better known for her come-hither coyness than for her acting chops

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 coyness There is her coyness about her future plans, and her own recent memoir. Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026 The Hunting Wives strips away any coyness about sexuality in the first three minutes of episode one. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coyness
Noun
  • The three-inch heels that the women wear when performing the dance are visible at the bottom of the skirt—a demure bit of coquetry.
    Fernanda Pérez Sánchez, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2022
  • In other words, the most dizzying and most consequential storyline of Michigan’s offseason — Harbaugh’s coquetry with the Minnesota Vikings notwithstanding — is going to linger a while longer.
    Michael Cohen, Detroit Free Press, 27 July 2022
Noun
  • After years of upheaval in Florida State athletics—including a then-unprecedented flirtation with private equity and a bitter legal fight with the Atlantic Coast Conference—the school has parted ways with athletic director Michael Alford.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • But also, an increasing number of Latin artists are staking their own claims to complexity, such as Fuerza Regida, who detoured their corridos into Jersey club, or DJ duo Røz, who pepper their festival sets with electro-rock flirtations.
    Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Evocative animation, with subdued blue hues and soft lighting, conveys the flirtatiousness of their rapid connection in a scene where the two swim together in a pool at night.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Coyness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coyness. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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