timidness

noun

Definition of timidnessnext
as in hesitation
lack of willingness to assert oneself and take risks such timidness is surprising in a man as physically imposing as he is

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 timidness Never a forward accused of timidness, his offside restraint is not down to any reluctance to make surging runs in behind. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 24 June 2026 The Denver Post editorial is a master class in timidness and in saying nothing of import. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for timidness
  1. hesitation
  2. timidity
  3. fear
  4. concern
  5. worry
  6. anxiety
Noun
  • Caplin News / Florida International University Part of his hesitation came from questioning whether his vote could influence an election, particularly in presidential races decided through the Electoral College.
    — Sabrina Lozano, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • In the fourth quarter against Knicks, Wilson ran up the court in transition, collected a pass at the top of the key and fired off another 3 with the same signature lack of hesitation.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of hesitation
Noun
  • When the Timberwolves put the Nuggets over their knee and spanked them, there were so many to blame — Gordon’s aching body, Peyton Watson balking at playing, Murray’s shooting, Christian Braun’s timidity — that Jokic was almost spared.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Choices, of course, have to be made, and timidity won’t get the job done.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of timidity
Noun
  • Fortune recently reported on wealthy parents’ growing fear that their fortunes will sap their children’s drive.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Coupled with job-displacement fears from AI, opponents now point to the facilities as a physical symbol of who benefits from the boom and who gets stuck with the bill.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • The swelling majorities, with some races still too early to call, underlined a deep sense of voter anger and concern over the economy and the state of democracy.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The projects drew opposition over concerns about water consumption, electricity costs, and environmental protections.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of concern
Noun
  • Capital One jumped 3% after struggling last week amid worries about higher gasoline prices and credit delinquencies.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Several hacks on government infrastructure underscored growing worry over the use of AI to undermine cybersecurity.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of worry
Noun
  • Research has also found that across generational groups, greater user tendency to engage in social comparison, together with greater maladaptive ways of coping with emotions, is associated with more symptoms of anger, anxiety, and depression.
    — Ashwini Nadkarni, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The market for profiting off male body anxiety is nothing new.
    — Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of anxiety

Browse Nearby Words

timidly
timidness
timorous
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Cite this Entry

“Timidness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/timidness. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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