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shy

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verb

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shy
Adjective
The preliminary revisions for both of those years combined brought the new jobs created to just shy of 3 million. Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025 The adaptation, directed by Hunger Games alum Francis Lawrence, doesn't shy away from the unglamorous reality of the totalitarian state in which it is set, nor the contest in which its young protagonists must keep walking or be killed. James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
On July 14, Gibson passed away, just under a month shy of their 50th birthday. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025 Now, Perez is just 17 home runs shy of Brett’s franchise record. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shy
Adjective
  • Even Reach's multiplayer took bold new steps, with the introduction of new mechanics and timid moves towards player classes.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The timid girl, the ruffian guy.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • That is not to say that his coverage abilities are in any way lacking, but the Jaguars might see more value in Hunter catching passes to start.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • It can be used to crudely express boredom, annoyance or to signal that something is self-indulgent or lacking purpose.
    Sofi Zeman August 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The most notorious of these events is the shooting of Trump during a Pennsylvania campaign rally last year.
    Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
  • One of the most popular, and notorious, alprazolam—more commonly known as Xanax—has a half-life of only twelve hours.
    P.E. Moskowitz September 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Your stronger body will give you the confidence that comes from moving without flinching.
    Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • These images of an expanding Kong appeared on the screen and the actors on stage in front of it flinched in horror as the dwarfing image of Kong’s bigness loomed menacingly behind them.
    Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The next morning, Onley was bashful at hearing that praise.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 22 July 2025
  • Her brand of studied, bashful flightiness began to seem more passé than winkingly subversive.
    Mayukh Sen, The Atlantic, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • The report said that water storage in Washington’s five reservoirs in the Yakima River Basin has dropped sharply, bringing levels, at times, to some of the lowest measured since record-keeping started in 1971.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The ultra-low-cost model clearly isn't providing customer satisfaction, even if the fares look cheap.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The file-sharing company, which relaunched in 2022, had won a competitive bidding war for the brand behind one of the most infamous festivals of all time.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Topline The early 2000s music sharing software company LimeWire — now resurrected as a crypto company by new owners — won rights to the infamous Fyre Festival in an auction that was held on eBay, reportedly beating out Ryan Reynolds’ company for the rights.
    Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shy. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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