SHEEPISH Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

sheepish

adjective

ˈshē-pish

Definition of sheepish

as in shy

not comfortable around people a sheepish scholar who is most comfortable when surrounded by books

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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 sheepish At full time, he was pushed forward by Will Hughes and Maxence Lacroix to take in the appreciation of the supporters, looking almost sheepish at the attention. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 18 May 2026 Sugano walked off the mound with a sheepish grin. — Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026 The video feed suddenly cut out, replaced by a view inside the White Flight Control Room here at NASA's Johnson Space Center while flight controllers prepared a response that sounded a bit sheepish. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 4 Apr. 2026 The Grammy winner made his sheepish confession during an appearance on Brittany Broski's Royal Court on Wednesday. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sheepish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheepish

Adjective

Other performers weren’t shy about sharing their political opinions with the world.

— Michael Collins, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Bournemouth’s ‘executive’ section last year hit that milestone but appears to have been unavailable for this season, taking their top prices just shy of four figures.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of shy

Adjective

And Jonathan is a continuing reminder that liberalism doesn’t have to be apologetic or bashful about itself.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Cran-raspberry juice, pink lemonade concentrate, and grenadine provide its blush and bashful hue, while passionfruit juice cocktail gives it tropical flavors.

— Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

Definition of bashful

Adjective

Councilmember Barbara Leary, a longtime environmental activist and the lone opposing vote on the Toll Brothers project, said applications calling for the removal of those 29 acres have already been submitted.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Adobos, whether with three chiles or the lone suave guajillo chile, become life-giving purees for marinated fish, chicken and beef shank.

— Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of lone

Browse Nearby Words

sheepherders

sheepish

sheepishly

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Style

“Sheepish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheepish. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sheepish

adjective

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