Thesaurus

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

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Synonyms & Antonyms of shy

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 easily frightened

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

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2 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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3 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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slight,
small

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4 not respectable

she was nervous about being left alone in a shy bar in a bad section of town

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shy

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms of shy (Entry 2 of 2)

as in start, flinch

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for shy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms for shy

cuddle,
nestle,
nuzzle,
snoozle
[chiefly dialect],
snuggle

curl up

crouch,
huddle

Frequently Asked Questions About shy

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