as in shy
not comfortable around people
a sheepish scholar who is most comfortable when surrounded by books
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 sheepish
Everyone there loves to party, except for Saira (Shabana Azeez), the ruling queens’ only daughter, a sheepish 23-year-old with extreme self-esteem issues.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 8 July 2025
Then Dimitrov suffered what looked like a serious pectoral injury on a serve in the third set and, just like that, Sinner advanced in the most sheepish way possible.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 8 July 2025
The committee shared a laugh at the congressman’s sheepish realization, and the vote continued.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 15 May 2025
Someone who asks for something directly versus someone who opts for a more sheepish approach marks a good example of the outcomes of one's upbringing.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheepish
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 8 July 2025
Then Dimitrov suffered what looked like a serious pectoral injury on a serve in the third set and, just like that, Sinner advanced in the most sheepish way possible.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 8 July 2025
The committee shared a laugh at the congressman’s sheepish realization, and the vote continued.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 15 May 2025
Someone who asks for something directly versus someone who opts for a more sheepish approach marks a good example of the outcomes of one's upbringing.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheepish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheepish
Adjective
-
Playmakers available, underused Through eight quarters of Fitch’s offense, the 49ers haven’t been shy to spread the ball around.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Maddie is a great vegetarian chef, but has always been too shy to cook in front of an audience.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
The next morning, Onley was bashful at hearing that praise.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
-
Her brand of studied, bashful flightiness began to seem more passé than winkingly subversive.—
Mayukh Sen,
The Atlantic,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
That number may be a bit skewed by his lone postseason appearance last season (five innings, four runs) but is the number regardless.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
On an office bar cart beside bottles of Dom Perignon and Don Julio 1942 are rows and rows of Monster energy drinks and a lone canister of Loaded Hot Dog Pringles.—
Richard Nieva,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sheepish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheepish. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share