1
as in excitable
easily excited by nature
the skittish colt leapt up when we approached
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in timid
easily frightened
the cat is skittish around people she doesn't know
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a skittish housing market had both buyers and sellers on edge
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skittish
In the past, many of the poorer guests had the skittish look of people who feared eviction at any moment.
—
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
Investors have become skittish and are looking for value.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Dolphins fans are so skittish about quarterback decisions by now the common sentiment is to let seventh-rounder Quinn Ewers compete with similar, low-cost names this year, lose a lot of games and draft one next spring.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
In any major conflict, the classic investor reaction is to bid up defense stocks like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman while selling off airlines, hotels, cruise operators and others that might suffer as regional travel is curbed and skittish travelers stay home.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skittish
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
Investors have become skittish and are looking for value.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Dolphins fans are so skittish about quarterback decisions by now the common sentiment is to let seventh-rounder Quinn Ewers compete with similar, low-cost names this year, lose a lot of games and draft one next spring.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
In any major conflict, the classic investor reaction is to bid up defense stocks like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman while selling off airlines, hotels, cruise operators and others that might suffer as regional travel is curbed and skittish travelers stay home.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skittish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skittish
Adjective
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An unexpected collaboration opportunity is very possible under today’s trine between excitable Mars and erratic Uranus.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
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At the Ricardo residence in the ’50s sitcom I Love Lucy, over-the-top housewife Lucy and Ricky, her excitable husband, were always getting into some sort of entertaining hijinks.—
Michael Gioia,
Architectural Digest,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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One of the earliest of American masculinity influencers was President Theodore Roosevelt, who touted his own transformation from a timid, effeminate man – local presses mocked him in his early career – to a rugged outdoorsman.—
Miriam Eve Mora,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
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Sergio Romano and Pierpaolo Capovilla star as two fifty-something men from Italy’s northern Veneto area who befriend a timid student from Naples, played by Filippo Scotti.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Deterring Pests Another companion planting strategy is to interplant crops with plants that produce volatile chemicals such as strong odors that confuse pests.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2026
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As a result, expect the stock market to remain volatile next week as updates on the Iran war continue to roll through.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Behind yet another standout performance from Elliot Cadeau, who was named the Final Four’s most outstanding player, the Wolverines weathered a UConn run in the first half that had the massive throng of maize-and-blue fans in Indianapolis feeling nervous.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
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King had been nervous about the casting process.—
Angelina Mazza,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Special election turnout is unpredictable, but Harris' overperformance in Georgia tonight fits into broader narratives about Democrats' chances in the midterms, especially if the war in Iran continues on and gas prices for Americans continue to rise.—
Halle Troadec,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
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That matters because real homes are messy and unpredictable.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skittish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skittish. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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