as in mice
a shy or reserved person
a reality show that wants shameless exhibitionists, not shrinking violets
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 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
introverts
Noun
-
Yes, some people are introverts or have social anxiety, and those limits should be respected, but that doesn’t appear to be the case here.—
Anna Pulley,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
-
For introverts or busy-bees, there's a lot less social interaction at a touchless car wash, too.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
The Courier-Journal,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrinking violets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrinking%20violets. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share