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as in withdrawn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
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Recent Examples of shy
Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The youth and children’s projects touched on topics like social media, mental health, and coming-of-age stories that didn’t shy away from life’s more difficult challenges.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Frederic J. Frommer, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
Republicans Janak Joshi and George Washington Markert reported total fundraising just shy of $150,000 and $120,000, respectively.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Adjective
Still, bad publicity on the Democratic side of the ballot does open up the potential for Earle-Sears to market herself to portions of the Virginia electorate that usually shy away from voting Republican.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The youth and children’s projects touched on topics like social media, mental health, and coming-of-age stories that didn’t shy away from life’s more difficult challenges.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
In June 1990, the House came up 34 votes shy of the two-thirds needed in a 254-177 vote in favor.
—Frederic J. Frommer, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
Republicans Janak Joshi and George Washington Markert reported total fundraising just shy of $150,000 and $120,000, respectively.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shy
Adjective
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Babies also have new behaviors, from a playful and inquisitive Diplodocus to a more timid Moros Intrepidus.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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In the bit, Rihanna and Ronnie (Andy Samberg) are dropping knowledge to a group of grade schoolers with the singer crooning in her power range as timid Ronnie can barely rise above a whisper to her utter consternation.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
14 Oct. 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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Even well into the 1930s, America’s defense machinery was woefully lacking, especially in the critical transport of material and personnel.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
17 Oct. 2025
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And every year is subject to the quality of the free-agent class, and 2021’s starting pitching market was especially lacking.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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She was joined by her older sister, Bennett, 2, who is notorious for her antics around the Kelce home.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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The 'Teflon Don' and the Gambino 'Crime Family' The Gambinos and their onetime leader John Gotti – aka the Dapper Don and the Teflon Don – are perhaps the most notorious of the five New York crime families and the one most closely mimicked by a slew of Hollywood TV shows and movies.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ross passed the day's examination with flying colors – barely flinching at the rubber chicken.—
Laura L. Davis,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Oct. 2025
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But none of the band members ever flinched over the divide that formed over their pre- and post-Vheissu sound.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 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 29-time PGA Tour winner has carded three rounds in the 60s, but hasn't been able to go low enough to be among the contenders.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
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The pair keep a relatively low profile but have collaborated on productions including Wickline’s theater project, Dukes Forever, which Hornbuckle directed.—
Alyssa Davis,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Many of the marble mausoleums on this 14-acre spot are held by Argentina’s elite, some famous, others infamous—think past presidents, Nobel Prize winners, and military commanders.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
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Natalya also addressed the infamous storyline where her character suffered from uncontrollable flatulence.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shy. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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