1
as in bashfulness
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2
as in humility
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shyness
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
That got everybody over their shyness.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 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
But shyness and cluelessness kept me from making my rendezvous with the guy that was to aid in that connection.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 16 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, 4 Mar. 2026
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
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
That got everybody over their shyness.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 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
But shyness and cluelessness kept me from making my rendezvous with the guy that was to aid in that connection.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 16 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, 4 Mar. 2026
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
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
-
Journalists should receive good-faith criticism with humility and appreciation.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
-
Leaders must approach robot training with humility.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The order to whitewash America’s historic sites of anything less than rosy about the nation’s past has led to some predictable embarrassments.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Nectar Hard Seltzer has been partnering with influencer Kelly Kim to get people to reframe the alcohol flush reaction some people experience, to turn it into a beauty moment instead of embarrassment.—
Jeanette Hurt,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
And Jesus' answer is one takes it through meekness, peacemaking, humility, love, etc.—
Jason DeRose,
NPR,
26 May 2026
-
Who has time for affected meekness when playing the braggart not only tickles the soul, but has the potential to convince others of one’s own greatness?—
New York Times,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But what is different about the downfall of Starmer, which is now under way, has been the timidity of his premiership, its chronic self-doubt, as if its voice were permanently stuck in its throat.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
But our delay and our timidity continue to cause unimaginable human suffering.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That is why organizations cannot afford to treat Humility as a nice-to-have trait or confuse it with politeness, modesty, or low confidence.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Their designs integrate modesty as a core aesthetic principle rather than a constraint, resulting in garments that feel intentional and elegant.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Amy Lawrence pointed out that, while Arsenal possess that type of player, there is a level of inhibition.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
-
Alcohol relieves social inhibition.—
Jonathan Avery,
STAT,
11 May 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
-
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 7 Jun. 2026.
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