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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of diffidence
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
Norman Mailer wrote with an unstable mixture of self-indulgence and self-awareness, bravado and diffidence, glibness and bracing honesty, macho posturing and an almost sheepish gentleness.
—Andrew Delbanco, The New York Review of Books, 28 Mar. 2024
The people who’ve worked with her, however, describe an impressive resolve beneath the diffidence.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024
The simultaneous inward intensity of feeling and outward diffidence, the emotional and moral dangers of simulation, the hot alien beauty of the city ...
—Boris Kachka, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for diffidence
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 3 June 2024
Norman Mailer wrote with an unstable mixture of self-indulgence and self-awareness, bravado and diffidence, glibness and bracing honesty, macho posturing and an almost sheepish gentleness.
—Andrew Delbanco, The New York Review of Books, 28 Mar. 2024
The people who’ve worked with her, however, describe an impressive resolve beneath the diffidence.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024
The simultaneous inward intensity of feeling and outward diffidence, the emotional and moral dangers of simulation, the hot alien beauty of the city ...
—Boris Kachka, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for diffidence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diffidence
Noun
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The offensive line reserves primarily include guard-center Liam Eichenberg, guard-tackle Kion Smith, center Andrew Meyer, guard-tackle Jackson Carman, guard-tackle Larry Borom, guard Braeden Daniels and tackle Ryan Hayes.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2025
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The 6-foot-5, 190-pound Aberdeen appeared in 39 of 40 games primarily as a reserve and averaged 7.7 points and 19.8 minutes, positioning him for a prominent role during his final season in Gainesville.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2025
Noun
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His losses have come by knockout (three), submission (one) and decision (two).—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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The results speak volumes: project submissions increased 39% year-on-year.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diffidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diffidence. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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