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shyness

noun

Definition of shynessnext
1
as in bashfulness

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2
as in humility

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Dissimilar Words

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 shyness What is striking is that all these versions agree on her shyness, modesty, and propriety. — Eva Blanco Medina, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2026 Instead of focusing on adventurous missions like PAW Patrol, Super Monsters emphasizes the more emotional aspects of childhood, like overcoming shyness, being a good friend, and learning from your mistakes. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 30 Aug. 2026 Prince George seems to have inherited Princess Diana’s endearing shyness. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026 The smile didn’t come immediately, but suddenly the shyness gave way and her smile stretched from ear to ear. — Andy Clayton, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026 Then the release, the arrival, the return to self, and a lazy, funny sort of shyness. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2026 There was no awkwardness or shyness. — Andrew McGowan, Variety, 23 May 2026 Historically, in situations involving large numbers of dogs, rescue teams have reported the animals to be agitated, stressed and fearful of human interaction (resulting in shyness or aggression). — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026 In Atlanta, some people living with SAD, as well as social phobia or even simple shyness, are facing their fears in a novel way. — Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shyness
  1. bashfulness
  2. humility
  3. embarrassment
  4. meekness
  5. timidity
  6. modesty
  7. inhibition
  8. sociability
Noun
  • Her skin—something known as Frubber, a porous patented blend of fleshlike elastic polymers—stretched over a structure of plastic and titanium, and there was no flicker of bashfulness.
    — Dan Turello, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
Definition of bashfulness
Noun
  • She was not obligated to be so open, but her humility unlocked me.
    — David Elkowitz, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Rovelli argues for a change in view that is not a defeat but a new kind of humility in the face of the universe's vast complexity.
    — Adam Frank, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of humility
Noun
  • There was once an NFL team with an embarrassment of talent amassed on its roster.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Lining the approach to the gate, there was an embarrassment of new undergarments, towering piles of briefs and T-shirts.
    — Devin Friedman, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of embarrassment
Noun
  • The third revealed meekness as spiritual strength – the willingness to let God lead thought and action.
    — Liesl Ehmke, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026
  • And Jesus' answer is one takes it through meekness, peacemaking, humility, love, etc.
    — Jason DeRose, NPR, 26 May 2026
Definition of meekness
Noun
  • Choices, of course, have to be made, and timidity won’t get the job done.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The complaint of timidity could be read as a criticism of 79-year-old Congressman Bobby Scott of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Education and Workforce Committee and panel’s chair when the party was in the majority.
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of timidity
Noun
  • What is striking is that all these versions agree on her shyness, modesty, and propriety.
    — Eva Blanco Medina, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Like the rest of their clothing, shoes for the British royal family are about classic silhouettes, modesty and formality.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of modesty
Noun
  • Many visual motifs emerge, most notably the men in the crowd who shed any inhibitions to cry, dance, and belt the songs at the top of their lungs.
    — Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • As art and its creators have shed their inhibitions in this post-Sadean world, politicians and cultural commentators have reliably lined up to condemn this total freedom of expression as being dangerous to society.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of inhibition
Noun
  • For all the ways these drugs are associated with deprivation, many users describe a paradoxical new sociability.
    — Elyse Moody, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026
  • Her public image was capacious enough that Rollerena could carry not only camp and sociability, but profound grief as well.
    — Emilie Hardman, JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2026
Definition of sociability

Browse Nearby Words

shyly
shyness
shyster
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Cite this Entry

“Shyness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shyness. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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