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
introverts
Noun
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Encourage introverts and extroverts to find their inner ambivert by sharing space in a discussion.—
Linda-Marie Barrett
September 10,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Shrinking violets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrinking%20violets. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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