Thesaurus results for SHY

Q: How does the adjective 'shy' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shy are bashful , coy , diffident , and modest . While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others. // shy with strangers

Q: When can 'bashful' be used instead of 'shy'?

The words bashful and shy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence. // a bashful boy out on his first date

Q: When might 'coy' be a better fit than 'shy'?

While the synonyms coy and shy are close in meaning, coy implies a pretended shyness. // put off by her coy manner

Q: In what contexts can 'diffident' take the place of 'shy'?

In some situations, the words diffident and shy are roughly equivalent. However, diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking. // felt diffident about raising an objection

Q: When could 'modest' be used to replace 'shy'?

The meanings of modest and shy largely overlap; however, modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit. // modest about her success

See Definition

shy 1 of 2

adjective

See Dictionary Definition

as in timid

easily frightened a shy cat who hid under the bed every time she heard any loud noise

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as in withdrawn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

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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

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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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shy

2 of 2

verb

as in to flinch

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective shy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shy are bashful, coy, diffident, and modest. While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others.

shy with strangers

When can bashful be used instead of shy?

The words bashful and shy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.

a bashful boy out on his first date

When might coy be a better fit than shy?

While the synonyms coy and shy are close in meaning, coy implies a pretended shyness.

put off by her coy manner

In what contexts can diffident take the place of shy?

In some situations, the words diffident and shy are roughly equivalent. However, diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking.

felt diffident about raising an objection

When could modest be used to replace shy?

The meanings of modest and shy largely overlap; however, modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit.

modest about her success