diffidence

noun

Definition of diffidencenext
as in timidity
the quality or state of lacking confidence or assertiveness He met the girl's gaze with awkward diffidence.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 diffidence In 1992, in his conversation with Hines, Cage spoke briefly about Sample before assuming his customary mask of benign diffidence. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2025 But Cropper’s diffidence about his abilities was the perfect mindset for a rhythm guitarist, whose job is to serve the song and the band rather than himself. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2025 And has done so with the kind of diffidence that can only come from a lifetime in the sports backwaters. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2025 The concern now is not diffidence in New Delhi, but diffidence in Washington. — Nirupama Rao, Foreign Affairs, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for diffidence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diffidence
  1. timidity
  2. quietness
  3. submissiveness
  4. timidness
  5. reserve
  6. bashfulness
  7. submission
  8. shyness
Noun
  • But in a state like Connecticut, where Democrats flipped seats in the most recent local elections, this timidity makes no sense.
    — Matthew Blinstrubas, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026
  • There are those who would write her off, and perhaps her timidity before America’s facilitation of Gaza’s destruction has earned that dismissal.
    — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026
Definition of timidity
Noun
  • These motors make a difference in efficiency and quietness levels.
    — Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 19 July 2026
  • To come up with its study, the company looked at different factors that equate to quietness, including monthly search volume, visitor ratings, average summer temperatures, access to nearby restaurants and bars, and availability of accommodations.
    — Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026
Definition of quietness
Noun
  • Attraction is a function of parentage and looks and submissiveness.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
  • But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.
    — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of submissiveness
Noun
  • Never a forward accused of timidness, his offside restraint is not down to any reluctance to make surging runs in behind.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • The Denver Post editorial is a master class in timidness and in saying nothing of import.
    — DP Opinion, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Definition of timidness
Noun
  • Government reshuffle Ahead of the next winter period, Ukraine is strengthening the defense of its energy infrastructure and building up reserves to ensure sufficient supplies of heat and electricity.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
  • And China, with its massive oil inventory, has been drawing down its reserves and reduced its crude imports by more than 4 million barrels a day, according to JPMorgan.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of reserve
Noun
  • Her skin—something known as Frubber, a porous patented blend of fleshlike elastic polymers—stretched over a structure of plastic and titanium, and there was no flicker of bashfulness.
    — Dan Turello, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
Definition of bashfulness
Noun
  • The Grammy for traditional folk had been dumped and reclassified because submissions to the category declined, said Jennifer Roe, executive director of Folk Alliance International in Kansas City.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • Under state law, prosecutors have 30 days to respond after the petition’s submission, though the judge may extend that timeframe.
    — Alex Brizee July 30, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
Definition of submission
Noun
  • The smile didn’t come immediately, but suddenly the shyness gave way and her smile stretched from ear to ear.
    — Andy Clayton, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • Then the release, the arrival, the return to self, and a lazy, funny sort of shyness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Definition of shyness

Browse Nearby Words

difficulty
diffidence
diffident
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diffidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diffidence. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on diffidence

Nglish: Translation of diffidence for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of colloquial

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All