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as in withdrawn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
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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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a shy person
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shy
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Then allow enough time to complete your work without hurrying, and do not be shy about asking for help with moving heavy items.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
Shannon Adducci, Robb Report, 5 May 2025
Despite his recent setbacks on the political stage, Koch and his fans are not shying from the fight.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Adjective
They were eliminated six wins shy of a repeat title.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Then allow enough time to complete your work without hurrying, and do not be shy about asking for help with moving heavy items.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
Verb
Priyanka Chopra in Bulgari Never one to shy away from a statement look, the actress paired a custom polka-dot skirt suit by Balmain with an emerald-and-diamond necklace from Bulgari that featured an emerald stone in the center.
—Shannon Adducci, Robb Report, 5 May 2025
Despite his recent setbacks on the political stage, Koch and his fans are not shying from the fight.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shy
Adjective
-
The Makos athletes also noticed that their parents were timid around water.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 May 2025
-
Haney looked timid and afraid for the first four rounds before finding his legs and winning a unanimous decision in a lackluster fight with Jose Ramirez.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Adjective
-
My main criticism is its withdrawn camera, which is set too far away from the action in most stages.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Parents watch as their once-curious children become withdrawn, dreading school instead of embracing it.—
Claudia Nachtigal,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In July 2022, more than 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war were killed in an explosion at the notorious camp at Olenivka, adding a desperate sense of urgency to the Ukrainian efforts to bring the rest of them home.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
16 May 2025
-
The Lorraine Motel, before and after The 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made the Lorraine Motel in Memphis globally notorious.—
Christopher Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Tamar Braxton has never been one to flinch at the truth.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
5 May 2025
-
But rookie Gwyneth Philips hasn’t flinched in Maschmeyer’s absence.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
Cher was bashful to be busted but then couldn’t help laughing out loud at the audacity.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Or maybe the movie’s stars are just feeling a bit bashful!—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Abarth is low cost, high return and should be encouraged.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
-
Still the newcomers flood in, attracted by the climate, lake and lower cost of living than other parts of the country.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
The most infamous was the CRASH (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums) unit in the Rampart Division, assigned to the neighborhoods west of downtown L.A.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2025
-
The serial killer was convicted of murdering at least 33 teen boys and young men in the 1970s His last words after sitting on death row for 14 years became infamous John Wayne Gacy, a.k.a.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
Though East Contra Costa has been the hub of refinery activities in Northern California, the number of jobs in the remaining refineries was limited, and had been shrinking in the past decade.—
Michael Bernick,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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That’s a significant chunk, and every bit counts when the U.S. economy shrank at a 0.3% annual rate in the first three months of the year.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shy. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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