as in shy
easily frightened
a timid rabbit hopped cautiously out of the hedge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of timid
Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Those words seemingly caused Tagovailoa to play timid in 2025.
—Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
His hope is to create a new incentive for these timid business leaders, by wiping out a quarter billion or more from their combined market cap.
—Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
At the heart of the series is Deano’s friendship with Kit, his timid best mate from the wealthy side of town.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for timid
Adjective
This needn’t been a timid admission;—she’d be flattered to hear it.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Those words seemingly caused Tagovailoa to play timid in 2025.
—Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
His hope is to create a new incentive for these timid business leaders, by wiping out a quarter billion or more from their combined market cap.
—Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
At the heart of the series is Deano’s friendship with Kit, his timid best mate from the wealthy side of town.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for timid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for timid
Adjective
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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
Noun
-
Connecticut students should not lose access to meaningful support because of hesitation.—
Christopher P. DeSanctis,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Mets don’t have any hesitation in letting Benge face lefties, but wanted to keep Robert’s bat in the lineup.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Local politicians that previously supported the chorus, either socially or financially, are now fearful of retribution by the governor, Cabrera said.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The American Kennel Club (AKC) emphasizes that helping fearful dogs requires patience and positive reinforcement.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Adjective
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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
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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
Noun
-
Rabbi Irwin Kula, the panel’s moderator, asked the participants to describe their biggest fear or nightmare.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Sacramento community advocates are sounding the alarm over fears of deep city budget cuts that could impact public safety.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Wallner and second baseman Luke Keaschall had a scary collision in the eighth inning on a pop fly to right by Salvador Perez that Keaschall caught.—
David Brown,
Twin Cities,
30 Mar. 2026
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Especially one that features Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Martin Necas, Nazem Kadri, Brock Nelson, Val Nichushkin and Nicolas Roy, all at the same time, a legitimately scary roster that goes four lines and two goaltenders deep.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Clicking into the title will give you even more information, including a blurb about what parents need to know, a breakdown of potential concerns and positive qualities about the book, and reviews from kids.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Gables leaders have raised concerns during city meetings about the potential impact.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Timid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/timid. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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