as in timid
easily frightened
sensational news stories that seem designed to needlessly alarm an already timorous public
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Recent Examples of timorous
Democratic moderates are often portrayed by the left as timorous figures reluctant to take strong stands for fear of political retribution.
—
Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 3 Aug. 2022
The hospital industry has been timorous about transparency since the first large-scale quality survey was conducted by the American College of Surgeons back in 1919.
—Michael L. Millenson and J. Matthew Austin, STAT, 24 May 2022
Diaz is plucky and determined in ways that the more timorous guys can’t quite muster.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
For years now, U.S. policy toward Syria has been indecisive and timorous, allowing pro-Assad forces to gain ground.
—Steven A. Cook, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2016
See All Example Sentences for timorous
Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 3 Aug. 2022
The hospital industry has been timorous about transparency since the first large-scale quality survey was conducted by the American College of Surgeons back in 1919.
—Michael L. Millenson and J. Matthew Austin, STAT, 24 May 2022
Diaz is plucky and determined in ways that the more timorous guys can’t quite muster.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
For years now, U.S. policy toward Syria has been indecisive and timorous, allowing pro-Assad forces to gain ground.
—Steven A. Cook, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2016
See All Example Sentences for timorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for timorous
timid
Adjective
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In it, Luna is seen gently approaching a very timid Ronnie, who is facing away, staring toward the couch.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
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Arguably, Sweeney — who is almost unrecognizable as the timid and brunette Margaret — steals the show.—
Itzel Luna,
Boston Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Timorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/timorous. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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