as in mice
a shy or reserved person
a reality show that wants shameless exhibitionists, not shrinking violets
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Recent Examples of shrinking violets
Nobody would have called it that back in the 1960s, of course, but the man who shares a name with a Roman emperor (those guys weren't shrinking violets either) tends to be the biggest presence on any starship bridge.
—
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrinking violets
Noun
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Obese mice that were treated with the gene therapy, which Fractyl calls Rejuva, lost about 20% of their body weight within three weeks.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
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Shows promise in mice models The brain is metabolically demanding, depending on a complex vascular system to supply energy and remove waste.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To add to this, introverts gain more motivation from the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Oct. 2025
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Many famous leaders are introverts Various notable business leaders have described themselves as being introverts, from Meta’s Zuckerberg, to Microsoft’s co-founder Bill Gates, and chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The four fragrances will be available to purchase in a wide assortment, including three-wick candles, fine fragrance mists, body creams, body washes, foaming hand soaps, hand sanitizer sprays, laundry care, decor and wallflowers.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
14 Oct. 2025
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Alternative Sale at a Glance Hand soaps for $4, three-wick candles for $13, and wallflowers for $4 are just the beginning.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrinking violets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrinking%20violets. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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