SHYNESS Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

shyness

noun

Definition of shyness

as in bashfulness

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

as in humility

Related Words

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

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

The drama that animates Mud is a Sisyphean one, and Wolf casts herself as agent of her own embarrassment and woe.

— Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to Epstein have been a source of embarrassment to the royal family for more than a decade.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of embarrassment

Noun

When the Timberwolves put the Nuggets over their knee and spanked them, there were so many to blame — Gordon’s aching body, Peyton Watson balking at playing, Murray’s shooting, Christian Braun’s timidity — that Jokic was almost spared.

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 3 Oct. 2026
Choices, of course, have to be made, and timidity won’t get the job done.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of timidity

Noun

With a silhouette that hugs your thighs before lightly flaring at the ankles, this pants fit offers warmth, modesty, and elegance.

— Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 8 Oct. 2026
In some rooms, the tubs are in the midst of the living area, which cuts into modesty a bit.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of modesty

Noun

In my experience, the involvement of ketamine or other drugs invariably makes a bad situation worse – complicating consent, impairing judgment and reducing inhibitions.

— Christopher P. Holstege, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
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

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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Style

“Shyness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shyness. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shyness

noun

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