DIFFIDENT Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of diffident are bashful , coy , modest , and shy . While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," 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 would 'bashful' be a good substitute for 'diffident'?

Although the words bashful and diffident have much in common, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence. // a bashful boy out on his first date

Q: Where would 'coy' be a reasonable alternative to 'diffident'?

The meanings of coy and diffident largely overlap; however, coy implies a pretended shyness. // put off by her coy manner

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

The synonyms modest and diffident are sometimes interchangeable, but modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit. // modest about her success

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

In some situations, the words shy and diffident are roughly equivalent. However, shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others. // shy with strangers

diffident

adjective

ˈdi-fə-dənt

Definition of diffident next

as in shy

not comfortable around people for someone who makes a living performing for other people, the actress is remarkably diffident in real life

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How does the adjective diffident contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of diffident are bashful, coy, modest, and shy. While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," 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 would bashful be a good substitute for diffident?

Although the words bashful and diffident have much in common, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.

a bashful boy out on his first date

Where would coy be a reasonable alternative to diffident?

The meanings of coy and diffident largely overlap; however, coy implies a pretended shyness.

put off by her coy manner

In what contexts can modest take the place of diffident?

The synonyms modest and diffident are sometimes interchangeable, but modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit.

modest about her success

When can shy be used instead of diffident?

In some situations, the words shy and diffident are roughly equivalent. However, shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others.

shy with strangers

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 diffident Consider Chatterton’s Fields of This, an exemplary case study, as the hazy slacker rock the Oxnard, California, duo of guitarist-keyboardist Brock Pierce and multi-instrumentalist Logan Scrivner dream up is brash yet diffident. —

Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024 In the light of Rifkin’s diffident anguish, the heartfelt whimsy of these scenes plays like Allen’s own nostalgic reminiscence of his early, funny stuff—and of the way that his life used to be. —

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024 Watching an early appearance of Melanie on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson only left me more intrigued about her ambivalent relationship toward fame: How could the same person be so confident and charismatic behind a guitar, but so diffident and uncomfortable chatting with Carson? —

Joseph Fenity, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2024 Many Israelis are critical of his fractious handling of the country before the Oct. 7 attack and resent his diffident treatment of the families of hostages held in Gaza. —

Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2024 The truculent and diffident teen-ager, all floppy hair and hormones, disruptively acts out his frustrations, while nonetheless becoming a good big brother to the two girls; meanwhile, his sparks of playful flirtation with Anne ignite an uncontrollable conflagration of desire. —

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2023 As reluctant hero Pippin, Dallaire can’t help but be appealing with his diffident smile and locks of Owen Wilson-style hair. —

David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2023 An anthropologist and activist based in London, al-Rasheed sketches a somewhat diffident revisionist history of the creation of Saudi Arabia—the only country in the world named after its ruling family. —

Lisa Anderson, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020 By this time, her diffident singing and cucumber-cool delivery became her calling card. —

Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diffident

Adjective

In its third-quarter earnings report in October, Tesla reported a year-over-year revenue increase of 8%, which fell just shy of estimates.

Lora Kolodny,Ari Levy, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Billy Wagner, who finished five votes shy of entering the Hall, also returns to the ballot this year.

Scott Thompson, Fox News, 9 Dec. 2024