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
This is not a collection for the shrinking violets among us.
—
Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Why Winter Damage Can Be Problematic for Camellias Camellias are no shrinking violets.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
This spring there are no shrinking violets, only beguiling wallflowers.
—Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
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
Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Why Winter Damage Can Be Problematic for Camellias Camellias are no shrinking violets.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
This spring there are no shrinking violets, only beguiling wallflowers.
—Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrinking violets
Noun
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In contrast, feeding those same mice glucosamine made memory loss worse.—
Ramon Sun,
The Conversation,
9 June 2026
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The work on the African striped mice is one of four research projects listed as finalists for this year’s Dolittle Prize.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Noun
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The real cherry on the proverbial cake, however, is the private in-villa dining experience that’s offered for an extra charge, and appears designed for honeymooners, parents who need to keep an eye on their kids, and introverts alike.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Sloths primarily live in rainforests and are known as biological introverts for their highly specialized diets and survival mechanisms adapted over millions of years of evolution.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Outside, on the patio, boxes of Jenga had been set out for the wallflowers.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Packed with personality and bohemian flair, the designs are not for wallflowers.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrinking violets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrinking%20violets. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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