as in humbly
in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion
the younger boy, who idolized the older one, would sheepishly follow him around and be at his beck and call
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 sheepishly
The boy stepped out of the chair, thanked the staff and said goodbye — only to sheepishly return for a hug with Hiniker.
—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Rather than a nod of respect, Spurs fans—myself now sheepishly included—are finding their favorite tees and caps drawing chirps, sneers, and curses.
—
Joan Kennedy,
Vogue,
10 June 2026
The 22-year-old sheepishly asked if Tarasenko could help him with his laundry.
—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Lateef sheepishly raked his hand through his hair.
—
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Kayumi then appeared to sheepishly shrink in his chair.
—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Liu sheepishly turned and applauded the 17-year-old Nakai, who raced over and hugged her.
—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Hisatsune sent roars through the stadium par-3 16th by sinking a 7-foot birdie putt and smiled sheepishly at his chip in on 17 after hitting his tee shot left into the pond.
—
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
Shields, 62, sheepishly joked after two false starts.
—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
28 Nov. 2025
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Rather than a nod of respect, Spurs fans—myself now sheepishly included—are finding their favorite tees and caps drawing chirps, sneers, and curses.
—
Joan Kennedy,
Vogue,
10 June 2026
The 22-year-old sheepishly asked if Tarasenko could help him with his laundry.
—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Lateef sheepishly raked his hand through his hair.
—
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Kayumi then appeared to sheepishly shrink in his chair.
—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Liu sheepishly turned and applauded the 17-year-old Nakai, who raced over and hugged her.
—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Hisatsune sent roars through the stadium par-3 16th by sinking a 7-foot birdie putt and smiled sheepishly at his chip in on 17 after hitting his tee shot left into the pond.
—
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
Shields, 62, sheepishly joked after two false starts.
—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
28 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheepishly
Adverb
-
The restaurant from Yao and co-owners Ryan Bailey and Nikki Reginaldo began humbly, as did its beverage program.
-
The post shows the actress going from humbly accepting the compliment to striking her best modeling poses as the wind blows through her hair.
Adverb
-
Whether a man chose to use that pistol or meekly give up the money to a robber was up to him.
-
That was checkmate, as Martinez grounded out meekly to end the season.
Adverb
-
For much of the last two seasons, Washington’s defense has been out of sync, to put it politely.
-
Almost nine years after their awkward handshake at the 2017 Bastille Day military parade, the two men politely shook hands and expressed their affinity for each other.
Adverb
-
Outwardly Smart behaved submissively, following her captors’ instructions while always looking for a way to escape.
Cite this Entry
“Sheepishly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheepishly. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
