as in shy
easily frightened
a timid rabbit hopped cautiously out of the hedge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 timid
The film tells the story of a charismatic biker who enters the life of a timid young man.
—
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 30 Nov. 2025
The conservative media is small and timid — but growing fast.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025
Francesca, smaller and more timid than her siblings, was often bullied.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
The best thing that happened during previews is Kollins’ rapid development from timid amateur to captivating headliner.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for timid
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 30 Nov. 2025
The conservative media is small and timid — but growing fast.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025
Francesca, smaller and more timid than her siblings, was often bullied.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
The best thing that happened during previews is Kollins’ rapid development from timid amateur to captivating headliner.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for timid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for timid
Adjective
-
Running back Ryan Walters was just shy of 100 yards picking up 99 on 16 carries.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Now McCaffrey is four yards shy of reaching 600 rushing yards and joining a club with Marshall Faulk and Brian Westbrook as the only NFL players with four seasons of 600-plus yards both rushing and receiving.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The Kurds became even more fearful of losing their rights after government forces massacred minority Alawites and Druze in fighting throughout 2025.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Abbie was cold and very fearful when the officers found her, and she was later found to have suffered a hip injury that will require surgery, police and rescuers said.—
Bruce Shipkowski,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 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 only thing scarier to horror fans might just be Amy Madigan losing for Weapons.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Families will love Hiccup’s Wing Gliders in the Isle of Berk, a not-too-scary coaster that still delivers thrills.—
Josh Roberts,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The birds were scared away by a resident’s dog.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
-
As Hodges stood there, scared and vulnerable, the man grabbed his baton and bashed him on the head with it, rupturing his lip and smashing his skull.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
At first blush, Rachel appears to be a mousy wallflower irritated by Marty’s fast-cash gambits.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
2 Jan. 2026
-
The caller turns out to be the boyfriend of Amanda (Amelia Campbell), Ron's mousy coworker.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The opposition ranged from clinical and code-based to angry and afraid.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Jan. 2026
-
From animal prints to floral patterns and everything in between, don’t be afraid to let loose and have fun with patterns in your space.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Dramatic body cam video shows a terrified boy was being held by the throat when his knife-wielding captor was killed by a deputy, the Florida investigators say.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The disaster forced terrified guests and hotel staff to leap from windows or dangle bedsheets to escape rooms engulfed in smoke and flames.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Timid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/timid. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share