timid

adjective

ˈti-məd How to pronounce timid (audio)
Definition of timidnext
as in fearful
easily frightened a timid rabbit hopped cautiously out of the hedge

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 timid In Ukraine, the Biden administration’s timid slow rolling of weapons and ammunition deprived Ukraine of its best chance of victory, forcing it for years to fight with one hand behind its back. — Jamie McIntyre, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025 Juventus makes bright start against Hellas While noise about the team’s poor performances could’ve seen the side begin this game in a timid manner, Juventus appeared to shrug off the criticism and made an excellent start against Hellas. — Adam Digby, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 Cannoli certainly seemed to be timid around dogs who bark a lot, leading Saulino to believe she felt intimidated by them. — David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 Zych was impressed by Lekki’s transformation from timid freshman to inspiring team leader. — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for timid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for timid
  1. fearful
  2. shy
  3. scary
  4. timorous
  5. afraid
  6. scared
  7. mousy
Adjective
  • The woman, fearful of the threat that the FBI would arrest her, prosecutors say, followed the instructions and liquidated hundreds of thousands of dollars from her retirement savings to buy gold bars and then handed the bars over to the bagmen.
    — Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Related article Putin just called Trump’s bluff on Ukraine, with the Russian art of the ‘no’ deal Indeed, Russia has for years been moving its official funds out of the US, apparently fearful of repercussions over its aggressions in Ukraine and Georgia.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of fearful
Adjective
  • And yet Francis has never been shy about showing his frailty, age or infirmities in ways that seem unthinkable for public figures for whom any sign of fragility can threaten their authority and undermine their agenda.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Farrah Abraham is a big fan of plastic surgery, and she’s never been shy about sharing the work she’s gotten done over the years.
    — Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of shy
Adjective
  • Kwong grew up hearing stories of every kind about Manzanar—scary, sad, funny and infuriating.
    — Rachel Ng, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The Athletic’s Steve Madeley has produced a slightly scary overview of the 16 months before the next World Cup starts.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of scary
Adjective
  • Hundreds of timorous Timothée Chalamet lookalikes congregated in Washington Square Park.
    — Raven Smith, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Phillips has made a jukebox spectacle that’s bold in conception but oddly cautious, even timorous, in execution.
    — A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
Definition of timorous
Adjective
  • While taking your room’s layout and square footage into account, don't be afraid to think outside the box: how can your sitting room function for you?
    — Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Pay attention to your customers, listen closely, and don’t be afraid to test small, strategic changes.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • Most lawyers will be too scared of retaliation to even bring lawsuits challenging Trump’s actions.
    — Ian Millhiser, Vox, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The pup, Butter, was filmed in September of last year looking scared and nervous around her new kitty sibling, keeping her distance from the feline and hiding away in her owner's arms, as if terrified of the new addition to the family.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • First there’s Jill (Helena Wilson), the seemingly mousy one who has remained cooped up with mom decades after the others have bolted.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2024
  • But Denise’s story is effectively just thrown aside as the focus moves on to Denise’s supposedly mousy yet horny neighbor Nicole (Sanda Codreanu).
    — Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Definition of mousy

Browse Nearby Words

timeworn
timid
timidity
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Cite this Entry

“Timid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/timid. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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