ˈkit-nish
as in coquettish
affecting shyness or modesty in order to attract masculine interest
she couldn't see the point in being kittenish about it and decided to just ask him out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in play
the attitude or behavior of one who insincerely courts the amorous attentions of others
a literary heroine covering grit and guile underneath her kittenishness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kittenish
Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2022
An aspiring dancer, Hawn first came into public view in the mid-’60s with a windswept blonde bob that paired perfectly with a set of kittenish flicks.
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 21 July 2022
The bi-seasonal moment took the form of a kittenish cat eye, the sharp wing afforded a sunny disposition with a pressing of metallic white and yellow gold across lids, the hue more saturated at the center.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2021
Awesome that there are women who are very gentle, others who are comfortable in their skin, young women, pretty women, women who are kittenish and and radiant.
—Corey Seymour, Vogue, 10 May 2021
See All Example Sentences for kittenish
Adjective
There was much talk of the kittens, their kittenish ways.
—Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2022
An aspiring dancer, Hawn first came into public view in the mid-’60s with a windswept blonde bob that paired perfectly with a set of kittenish flicks.
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 21 July 2022
The bi-seasonal moment took the form of a kittenish cat eye, the sharp wing afforded a sunny disposition with a pressing of metallic white and yellow gold across lids, the hue more saturated at the center.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2021
Awesome that there are women who are very gentle, others who are comfortable in their skin, young women, pretty women, women who are kittenish and and radiant.
—Corey Seymour, Vogue, 10 May 2021
See All Example Sentences for kittenish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kittenish
Noun
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Nathan MacKinnon got the play started with an outlet pass to Samuel Girard.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
22 Apr. 2025
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For the Heat, there has been the sometimes play of Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Mbatha-Raw and Jackson-Cohen were both coy when asked about Sophie and James’ future.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2025
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Paris is the coy Daris (Arya Grace Gaston), and the doomed hero Achilles has become the grim-faced Trojan running back Keeley (Erin Treadway, in boxer braids and golden work boots), who refuses to take the field after Johnny utters a fatal insult.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
Cite this Entry
“Kittenish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kittenish. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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