1
as in timid
easily frightened
a shy cat who hid under the bed every time she heard any loud noise
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
a shy person who finds talking to anyone but a close friend to be an awkward and unpleasant experience
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
the team is shy a couple of players because of illness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in notorious
not respectable
she was nervous about being left alone in a shy bar in a bad section of town
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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a shy person
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shy
Dan Lovi, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2025
On the fine spring morning of May 3, Henry led more than 100 armed men singing patriotic songs on the road to Williamsburg, halting that evening only 16 miles shy of the capital.
—Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
EW.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Such is the nature of Chinese collectors, who typically shy from publicity by default.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Adjective
And according to a couple of the seniors in the secondary, the young defensive backs haven’t been shy about it.
—Dan Lovi, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2025
On the fine spring morning of May 3, Henry led more than 100 armed men singing patriotic songs on the road to Williamsburg, halting that evening only 16 miles shy of the capital.
—Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Garland and Mendoza don't shy away from showing the physical horrors of the attack.
—EW.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Such is the nature of Chinese collectors, who typically shy from publicity by default.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shy
Adjective
-
Underdogs don't come much more awkward than Carrie White (so memorably played by Sissy Spacek), the timid, tragic heroine of Brian De Palma's freaky Stephen King adaptation.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
More timid than her siblings, Sheryl told Arcadia News that Sonora refused to dance at her first recital.—
Nicole Briese,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The withdrawn San Francisco drama, about lonely nonbinary nanny and restaurant server Cass (Asia Kate Dillon), is simple in its presentation, but disguises numerous layers to its story.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Jade and John told Dateline both had noticed their daughter was acting a bit withdrawn in the period leading up to her disappearance.—
Veronica Fulton,
NBC News,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The series flips the script on an industry notorious for unequal pay by leveling the playing field.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
When over 200 immigrants, mostly Venezuelans, were deported to El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison on March 15, just as J.G.G. v Trump was being heard, tattoos were among the reasons some migrants were sent there, potentially in error.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
When UConn, national champs the last two years, appears on the screen on Selection Sunday, probably as a No. 8 seed, their first-, and potential second-round opponent may flinch, for a moment, at seeing the Huskies’ brand in their bracket.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Witnesses to Utah’s last firing squad execution recently recalled to NBC News the sound of rapid gunfire in the chamber and how the inmate, Ronnie Lee Gardner, appeared to flinch and move his arm after being shot.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC News,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
While maybe not made for the bashful, the floor-to-ceiling glass doors are incredible at expanding the space—and enjoying every last drop of water from the shower.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Jan. 2025
-
Smith’s ambition to present a no-frills establishment is no indication of a bashful pedigree.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Detroit Free Press,
6 Mar. 2024
Adjective
-
Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Among other things, Silverstein speculates that this is due to a resource disparity, with certain municipalities such as Miami Springs, Opa-Locka, Virginia Gardens, and El Portal having limitations in staffing and resources and the lowest scores of compliance (49%, 47%, 39%, and 37%, respectively).—
Courtney Heath,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This bright and spicy scent was named after the infamous Rainbow Bar on LA’s Sunset Strip.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Wolfie’s, a Miami Beach landmark for a half-century, served a slew of famous — and infamous — patrons.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Like Wells, many business owners are thinking of pulling back: perhaps shrink the store's selection so there's less to ship, freeze hiring, pause advertising or developing new products — stop growing and go into survival mode.—
Alina Selyukh,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2025
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If the company stumbles—or worse, goes bust—your deferred cash could shrink or vanish.—
Anatoly Iofe,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shy. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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