as in hesitation
lack of willingness to assert oneself and take risks
none of the scouts showed the least timidity about rappeling down the cliff
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Recent Examples of timidity
But in a state like Connecticut, where Democrats flipped seats in the most recent local elections, this timidity makes no sense.
—
Matthew Blinstrubas,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
There are those who would write her off, and perhaps her timidity before America’s facilitation of Gaza’s destruction has earned that dismissal.
—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
Their boldness reminds us of our timidity.
—
Joy Harden Bradford,
AJC.com,
4 June 2026
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
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
The Bulls took 18 fewer shots than the Celtics as a direct result of their timidity on the glass, grabbing only six offensive rebounds to Boston’s 20.
—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Matthew Blinstrubas,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
There are those who would write her off, and perhaps her timidity before America’s facilitation of Gaza’s destruction has earned that dismissal.
—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
Their boldness reminds us of our timidity.
—
Joy Harden Bradford,
AJC.com,
4 June 2026
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
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
The Bulls took 18 fewer shots than the Celtics as a direct result of their timidity on the glass, grabbing only six offensive rebounds to Boston’s 20.
—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for timidity
Noun
-
When Miller unleashed another slider, Suzuki showed no hesitation.
-
That hesitation becomes stronger when the candidate frames the pivot as a weakness.
Noun
-
With the end of the month fast approaching, the migrant exodus has continued as fear of further mob attacks spreads through poor neighborhoods and informal settlements.
-
Agents from Hawthorne to Manhattan Beach, Venice and Santa Monica report early inquiries on $5-million-plus properties, raising fears of speculative price spikes and even tighter inventory.
Noun
-
To use available resources to block line of sight from the American Glass Research International complex to Trump, despite identifying this line of sight as a concern.
-
Over in the geopolitical front, fresh escalating tensions draw concern as Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, prompting Poland to scramble jets while Finland restricted airspace.
Noun
-
Those worries make sense, and understanding how bird flu spreads and what to watch for is the best way to protect your flock and yourself.
-
Elevation invites visitors to carve wishes, worries, and hopes into the church pews.
Noun
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If that conversation also seems too anxiety-provoking, focus on modes of communication that do feel accessible to you.
-
The resulting anxiety and panic are an unfortunate side effect of a banner year for fireworks shows.
Noun
-
Never a forward accused of timidness, his offside restraint is not down to any reluctance to make surging runs in behind.
-
The Denver Post editorial is a master class in timidness and in saying nothing of import.
Cite this Entry
“Timidity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/timidity. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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