1
a
: lively or frisky in action : capricious
b
2
: easily frightened : restive
a skittish horse
skittishly
adverb
skittishness
noun
Examples of skittish in a Sentence
We've been skittish about taking on such a large mortgage.
the skittish colt leapt up when we approached
Recent Examples on the Web
Rising economic anxiety, even among the 5% Evidence from the housing market and beyond suggests that the top 5% of U.S. households are growing skittish.
—
Catherine Baab, Quartz, 27 May 2025
At the same time, progressives are too skittish about enforcing seemingly any criminal law, moderate Democrats don’t want to look like progressives, and Republicans are Republicans.
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 7 May 2025
Image Image Isn’t there a risk that a skittish cat will be frightened by a dog and go deeper into hiding?
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
Wild leopards are typically skittish, and in many of Africa’s national parks and reserves, a leopard sighting is an extraordinary event.
—Michael Harmon, New York Times, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for skittish
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Catherine Baab, Quartz, 27 May 2025
At the same time, progressives are too skittish about enforcing seemingly any criminal law, moderate Democrats don’t want to look like progressives, and Republicans are Republicans.
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 7 May 2025
Image Image Isn’t there a risk that a skittish cat will be frightened by a dog and go deeper into hiding?
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
Wild leopards are typically skittish, and in many of Africa’s national parks and reserves, a leopard sighting is an extraordinary event.
—Michael Harmon, New York Times, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for skittish
Cite this Entry
“Skittish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skittish. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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