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as in withdrawn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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of shy
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Perez is just 15 home runs shy of surpassing Hall of Famer George Brett (317 homers) for the most in franchise history.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Most people find a way out, though many might shy away from discussing it.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Adjective
That length is a little bit shy of four feet, which is what Paul Hollywood would have if he got turned into a meerkat.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Perez is just 15 home runs shy of surpassing Hall of Famer George Brett (317 homers) for the most in franchise history.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
So rather than shy away from complicated female roles, Falco embraces them.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Most people find a way out, though many might shy away from discussing it.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shy
Adjective
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Wonkier reads, to be sure—but these both provide useful context for those looking to understand why the Democratic Party can be so timid before numbers.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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In 2024, the Harris-Walz campaign seemed timid, participating in few press conferences and potentially adversarial interviews.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 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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But Wild coach John Hynes noted in training camp that Jiricek’s decision making in the heat of the battle in the defensive zone is sometimes lacking.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
27 Oct. 2025
-
And the flick, based on Hoover’s bestselling novel, lays it on thick alongside a lacking narrative and cringey dialogue.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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However, as the show continues to capture audiences with a dramatization of one of the most notorious true crime cases in modern American history, the man responsible for the killings is asking viewers to consider watching with a skeptical mind.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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Especially when that witch is perhaps the most notorious one in history.—
Amber McBride,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Sheinbaum quickly moves away and visibly flinches as the man attempts to put his arm around her.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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In the bottom of the third, Yesavage’s only blemish of the game came on a 2-0 count to Enrique Hernandez, who didn’t flinch at a splitter up in the zone.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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At times, the new mom gets bashful about the attention she’s received since returning to the team.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
3 Oct. 2025
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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
Adjective
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The research team highlighted that beyond water harvesting, these coatings could help reduce urban heat island effects, lower energy needs for air-conditioning and provide climate-resilient water sources in regions facing growing heat and water stress.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
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When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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From that infamous electrified coif and chef's kiss of a hiss to a perfect balance of sexy and scary, Lanchester's Bride is still the kind of horror hottie, 90 years later, that most scream queens and final girls only hope to be.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
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Poking fun at the trip with her costume, Matthews shared another photo recreating the infamous moment where Perry kissed the ground after returning from the controversial 11-minute flight to the edge of space.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shy. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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