as in shy
easily frightened
a timid rabbit hopped cautiously out of the hedge
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of timid
Their smaller counterparts, alpacas, are more timid and shy, but the more independent ones that aren't afraid to be away from the herd do well as therapy animals.
—
Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
Jerusalem, timid about the prospect of a land invasion, can only respond with more airstrikes until the regime hits its breaking point and the people rise up.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
But they’re considered relatively timid and pose no significant threat to humans.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
But the Joro spider is considered relatively timid and poses no significant threat to humans.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for timid
Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
Jerusalem, timid about the prospect of a land invasion, can only respond with more airstrikes until the regime hits its breaking point and the people rise up.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
But they’re considered relatively timid and pose no significant threat to humans.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
But the Joro spider is considered relatively timid and poses no significant threat to humans.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for timid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for timid
Adjective
-
The county attorney makes $344,268, just shy of the city attorney, and Sheriff Gary McFadden trails the police chief with a $271,277 salary.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Stout, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology and has worked in the mental health field her entire career, understood what her uncle needed, and Hochheiser himself wasn’t shy.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Many stayed home with their families, fearful of the ICE surge in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.—
Jennifer Mayerle,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Niall is mild-mannered, repressed, and fearful of facing his sexuality.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The lesser among them, the timorous, the doubtful, and the wavering, stood back, watching, waiting for some greater sign, savoring their doubts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The great danger of that moment was that a political backlash — abetted by a furious media and timorous politicians — would lead to a restoration of the policy of Roe.—
The Editors,
National Review,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
The conditions in Domiz are not scary as a sign of what the future might be like for everyone.—
Shanti Escalante-De Mattei,
ARTnews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
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While weaponizing hate has been around almost as long as humanity itself, this new version is particularly scary because the checks and balances that were put into place in previous generations have been removed.—
Steven Burg,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In many cases, people deported leave behind family members who may be too young or scared to speak because of their own undocumented status.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
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At McWilliams Cemetery, located at West Armuchee Road and Smith Gap Road, officers found two emaciated dogs running loose — scared and hungry.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Handsome Belgian executive Geert (Arieh Worthalter) regales an enthusiastic crowd with a yarn, while his mousy tech head Luc (Jan Hammenecker) demonstrates to what might be the world’s first speech-to-text technology.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
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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
Adjective
-
Don’t be afraid to wear your heart on your sleeve.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Is the economy struggling, with layoffs and wary investors afraid to lend?—
Alex Mayyasi,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This publicity brought a flood of calls from hundreds of terrified men around the country—many living in states where being gay was a crime that could land you in a psychiatric hospital or jail.—
Donna Lamb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Recently, Kristen chased a terrified family with young children up a nearby stairway.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Timid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/timid. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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