1
as in coquettish
affecting shyness or modesty in order to attract masculine interest
not wanting him to know that she was interested in him, she acted very coy at the dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shy
not comfortable around people
a coy toddler who hides whenever anyone comes to the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in coquetry
the attitude or behavior of one who insincerely courts the amorous attentions of others
an actress better known for her come-hither coyness than for her acting chops
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of coy
Hanna Trudo, The Hill, 21 Feb. 2025
The Gilded Age actress was coy, however, when asked about the possibility of a third installment.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Kitty and Lydia are drunk, Mrs. Bennett is spilling things on people, Mary—the other Bennett daughter—is playing the piano terribly, and Jane is being a little too coy around Bingley.
—Marley Marius, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2025
For their part, United have been entirely coy about where the money would come from.
—Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coy
Adjective
For now, a variety of liberal organizations are keeping a low profile and being coy about their potential roster of challengers.
—Hanna Trudo, The Hill, 21 Feb. 2025
The Gilded Age actress was coy, however, when asked about the possibility of a third installment.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Kitty and Lydia are drunk, Mrs. Bennett is spilling things on people, Mary—the other Bennett daughter—is playing the piano terribly, and Jane is being a little too coy around Bingley.
—Marley Marius, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2025
For their part, United have been entirely coy about where the money would come from.
—Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coy
Adjective
-
Our analysis looking at US Treasury data shows foreign investors owned just shy of $17 trillion of US stocks as of Q2 2024, which is the latest available information.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Justin’s 10 birdies Sunday were one shy of the Masters single-round record, held by Anthony Kim (second round in 2009).—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The quick coquetry, captured by webcams pointed at the nest, made for lighthearted jokes and speculative gossip on social media, as fans of the birds reveled in the mystery of the latest developments and poked fun at Annie’s apparent promiscuity, comparing the turn of events to a TV drama.—
Andres Picon,
San Francisco Chronicle,
1 Apr. 2022
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The three-inch heels that the women wear when performing the dance are visible at the bottom of the skirt—a demure bit of coquetry.—
Fernanda Pérez Sánchez,
Vogue,
8 Aug. 2022
Adjective
-
Madelyn Cline went full-on Old Hollywood bombshell, kittenish liner, polished lengths, and all.—
Calin Van Paris,
Vogue,
15 Jan. 2023
-
With a basis of flawless skin—smoothing and hydration offered via Kylie Skin Face Moisturizer and Eye Cream—Phillips pulled a thick wing of black liner along Jenner's lids, a diminutive wing beneath the lower lashline providing a kittenish complement.—
Calin Van Paris,
Vogue,
13 Sep. 2021
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
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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
-
Mathison joined the All My Children cast in 1998 as Ryan Lavery, a former con man who quickly struck up a flirtatious friendship with Hayley (Ripa) — much to the ire of her then-boyfriend Mateo (Consuelos).—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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On April 12, the full moon in Libra will touch down on your flirtatious fifth house of love, romance and passion, bringing clarity (and maybe even a little drama) to your love life.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Cher was bashful to be busted but then couldn’t help laughing out loud at the audacity.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Or maybe the movie’s stars are just feeling a bit bashful!—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Jackets were demure and covered up and pencil skirts added a ’80s look to silhouettes.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Only these days, her choice of fancy footwear is a little more demure.—
Tim Chan,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coy. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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