1
as in timid
easily frightened
a shy cat who hid under the bed every time she heard any loud noise
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
a shy person who finds talking to anyone but a close friend to be an awkward and unpleasant experience
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
the team is shy a couple of players because of illness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in notorious
not respectable
she was nervous about being left alone in a shy bar in a bad section of town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shy
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
Ryan Clark is never one to shy away from giving his take on anything involving the NFL.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2025
Motivated by the president’s appearance, DeChambeau hit a 340-yard drive – echoing his first drive of the day that traveled 344 yards and just shy of the green.
—Paulina Dedaj , Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Adjective
Yes, The Golden Bachelor showrunner Jess Castro told EW that the show won't shy away from the controversy.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
Ryan Clark is never one to shy away from giving his take on anything involving the NFL.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
At just shy of 16,000 acres, the park contains roughly 20 miles of roads bordered by dazzling foliage.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2025
Motivated by the president’s appearance, DeChambeau hit a 340-yard drive – echoing his first drive of the day that traveled 344 yards and just shy of the green.
—Paulina Dedaj , Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shy
Adjective
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Even Reach's multiplayer took bold new steps, with the introduction of new mechanics and timid moves towards player classes.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The timid girl, the ruffian guy.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—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
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Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Art that truly centres girlhood, meanwhile, had too often been dismissed as sentimental or lacking intellectual rigor.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
25 Sep. 2025
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The film’s overall low-key tenor downplays both moral judgment and conspicuous style, though neither are entirely lacking.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Cats are notorious for finding niche hiding spots—but one curious feline's discovery turned out to be a close call.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Though Prince Andrew’s Newsnight interview made his reputation more notorious, the source thinks that an interview where Fergie can clear things up would be more successful.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Skubal, apparently flinching with the noise, balked for only the second time in his career.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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The coaches trust the 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive end from Sugarland, Texas, to do his thing, even if coaches initially flinch at his intentions.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Livestreaming isn’t the same as actually being there and seeing the fabric flow, the textures, the audience reaction and the bashful designer with their head down, forced onto the runway at the end of each show.—
Nadja Sayej,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Conrad is gorgeous yet bashful.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Jarren Duran lined a low single through the left side of the infielder, and Eaton raced home.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
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Long-term solutions may involve investments in affordable housing and community land trusts to provide sustainable options for low-income families.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Drake’s upcoming ninth studio album, Iceman, is his first solo project since his now infamous (and litigious) war of words with Kendrick Lamar last spring.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
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Here are some of the trope’s most infamous portrayals, across genre, gender and weapon of choice.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shy. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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