SHY Synonyms: 308 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'shy' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shy are bashful , coy , diffident , and modest . While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others. // shy with strangers

Q: When can 'bashful' be used instead of 'shy'?

The words bashful and shy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence. // a bashful boy out on his first date

Q: When might 'coy' be a better fit than 'shy'?

While the synonyms coy and shy are close in meaning, coy implies a pretended shyness. // put off by her coy manner

Q: In what contexts can 'diffident' take the place of 'shy'?

In some situations, the words diffident and shy are roughly equivalent. However, diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking. // felt diffident about raising an objection

Q: When could 'modest' be used to replace 'shy'?

The meanings of modest and shy largely overlap; however, modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit. // modest about her success

shy 1 of 2

adjective

ˈshī

Definition of shy next

as in timid

easily frightened a shy cat who hid under the bed every time she heard any loud noise

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in withdrawn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

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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

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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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shy

2 of 2

verb

as in to flinch

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a shy person

a timid person

an introverted person

a quiet person

a bashful person

a nervous person

a shy smile

a sheepish smile

a slight smile

a subtle smile

a nervous smile

a reluctant smile

shy creatures

reclusive creatures

stealthy creatures

solitary creatures

wary creatures

skittish creatures

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective shy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shy are bashful, coy, diffident, and modest. While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others.

shy with strangers

When can bashful be used instead of shy?

The words bashful and shy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.

a bashful boy out on his first date

When might coy be a better fit than shy?

While the synonyms coy and shy are close in meaning, coy implies a pretended shyness.

put off by her coy manner

In what contexts can diffident take the place of shy?

In some situations, the words diffident and shy are roughly equivalent. However, diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking.

felt diffident about raising an objection

When could modest be used to replace shy?

The meanings of modest and shy largely overlap; however, modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit.

modest about her success

Examples 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 shy

Adjective

Just shy of one year later, Ed Sheeran broke the record for the largest attendance for a concert series by a single artist, bringing in a total audience of 257,751 across four shows in March 2018. —

Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024 Jennifer Love Hewitt isn't shy about her love of holidays—and not just the winter ones. —

Marci Robin, Allure, 24 Oct. 2024

Verb

Remember to ask questions to get a clear understanding of your partners’ personal views, and try your best not to shy away from the scarier aspects of the discussions—such as death or afterlife. —

Mark Travers, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 What's next: While private equity is shying away from the sector now, that could reverse in 2025, says Nishant Machado, a senior managing director in the finance and restructuring practice of PE consultant Accordion. —

Kimberly Chin, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shy

Adjective

The video, which has been viewed more than 1.4 million times to date, shows the golden retriever offering the timid stray their favorite toy.

Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Outside of those two hits, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers sometimes sounds timid and tentative compared to the albums that would follow.

Al Shipley, SPIN, 1 Nov. 2024