as in timidity
the quality or state of lacking confidence or assertiveness
He met the girl's gaze with awkward diffidence.
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Recent Examples of diffidence
Between the sticks - Bayern seem reluctant to retire Neuer but this diffidence is helping no one.
—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
At its best, the uncomfortably intimate aesthetic of the films combined with the general diffidence at their heart attempted to epitomize a generational temperament and linguistic sensibility.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2024
Weaver brings a deceptive diffidence to Shelly, and Coleman is suitably enigmatic as V. Stiviano, a paragon of modern fameosexual ambition.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 3 June 2024
One reason for the diffidence may be that Shao-Horn already has another project for building larger electrodes to be used in EV applications.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 June 2010
See All Example Sentences for diffidence
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
At its best, the uncomfortably intimate aesthetic of the films combined with the general diffidence at their heart attempted to epitomize a generational temperament and linguistic sensibility.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2024
Weaver brings a deceptive diffidence to Shelly, and Coleman is suitably enigmatic as V. Stiviano, a paragon of modern fameosexual ambition.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 3 June 2024
One reason for the diffidence may be that Shao-Horn already has another project for building larger electrodes to be used in EV applications.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 June 2010
See All Example Sentences for diffidence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diffidence
Noun
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With a mix of timidity and emotion, Ferentz held the game ball in the locker room.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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Indulgence can tip over into self-indulgence all too easily; holding back can result in a timidity that makes a song sound at odds with its subject.—
Maura Johnston,
Rolling Stone,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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That quietness wasn't typical, Chyna Sands said.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Sep. 2025
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She was particularly struck by the quietness of Latronico, and noticed that there didn’t seem to be any children around.—
Silvia Marchetti,
CNN Money,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Obama Foundation has yet to fulfill its pledge to create a $470 million reserve fund meant to shield taxpayers if the Obama Presidential Center runs into trouble, according to recent tax filings, which show millions instead going to the Tides Foundation.—
Christine Valora,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Sep. 2025
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South Korean officials are seeking loans and a bilateral currency swap arrangement with the US to soften the economic impact, noting that the sum represents more than 80% of its foreign reserves.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While submissions for the festival come from all over the world, the festival experience itself is geared toward local Carolinians.—
Zach Dennis,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
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Reader predictions Thank you for your submissions last week.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Chambers, meanwhile, is leaning into shyness on this album cycle by frequently covering her face in photos.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
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This can range from occasional nerves and shyness to paralyzing fears of social situations and people.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diffidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diffidence. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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