1
as in bashfulness
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2
as in humility
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Recent Examples of shyness
Her name is Minnie, but her shyness leans toward the mousy, though no one would ever say that to her, least of all her beloved and extremely outgoing best friend, Callie (Chloe Coleman).
—
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Consider signing up for Toastmasters, a longstanding organization that helps people to break through their shyness and become strong public speakers and communicators.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Many in Syria’s dissident circles at first found Bashar’s awkwardness and shyness appealing.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
But terpsichorean shyness isn’t Josh’s problem.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Strategic silence is not shyness or introversion.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Cultural ambassadors, two from Greenland and two from Nunavut, led interactive presentations on language, housing, and the nuances of specific behaviors like inherent shyness and drum dancing to settle disputes.
—Jillian Dara, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
And that eye could see past Dorothy’s drab uniform and Cindy Brady pigtails, her tall girl’s diffidence and her sweet girl’s shyness, to the bombshell smoldering underneath.
—Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Manuel, for all his shyness, had been a regular on a recreational baseball team.
—Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2025
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Consider signing up for Toastmasters, a longstanding organization that helps people to break through their shyness and become strong public speakers and communicators.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Many in Syria’s dissident circles at first found Bashar’s awkwardness and shyness appealing.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
But terpsichorean shyness isn’t Josh’s problem.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Strategic silence is not shyness or introversion.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Cultural ambassadors, two from Greenland and two from Nunavut, led interactive presentations on language, housing, and the nuances of specific behaviors like inherent shyness and drum dancing to settle disputes.
—Jillian Dara, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
And that eye could see past Dorothy’s drab uniform and Cindy Brady pigtails, her tall girl’s diffidence and her sweet girl’s shyness, to the bombshell smoldering underneath.
—Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Manuel, for all his shyness, had been a regular on a recreational baseball team.
—Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2025
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
Noun
-
The purpose is to foster humility, reduce a person’s anxiety by releasing their need for control and provide an external source of strength for long-term recovery.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Despite his humility, McElroy's athletic accomplishments were remarkable for the team.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Holding said his face was burning with embarrassment.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Online care lowers barriers, reduces embarrassment and helps people who might otherwise stay silent for years.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Such meekness is understandable from him.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Likewise, meekness once meant not becoming weak, but subjugating power to reason – not letting anger take control.—
Timothy J. Pawl,
The Conversation,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But German timidity before Israel’s moral blackmail only partly explains Habermas’s callous attitude toward the country’s Palestinian victims.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Even in the face of Hollywood’s timidity, some American independent animators have managed to push their offbeat visions through as features made with limited resources.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Part of her appeal is that, even though her voice is commanding, there’s nothing particularly imperious about her personality, which borders on something like modesty.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
-
His quiet tone is not shyness or false modesty but circumspection and a sense of boundaries that imply respect and love for real communication.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Metallica plays on the stereo while Garcia and Huerta operate like two rock stars with no inhibitions in the kitchen.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The blow keeps you awake and the alcohol lowers your inhibitions.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This ancient beverage, derived from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant, is typically consumed to produce sedative and euphoric effects that might increase sociability and reduce anxiety.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Takefumi explored whether dog ownership could affect sociability by exposing mice to the oral microbiomes found in the dog-owning group, then assessed their social behaviors.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shyness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shyness. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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