1
as in timid
easily frightened
a shy cat who hid under the bed every time she heard any loud noise
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
a shy person who finds talking to anyone but a close friend to be an awkward and unpleasant experience
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
the team is shy a couple of players because of illness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in notorious
not respectable
she was nervous about being left alone in a shy bar in a bad section of town
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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a shy person
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shy
Dan Lovi, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2025
On the fine spring morning of May 3, Henry led more than 100 armed men singing patriotic songs on the road to Williamsburg, halting that evening only 16 miles shy of the capital.
—Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
The 22-year-old did not shy away from his famous father on Sunday night (March 9) during his audition on American Idol‘s season 23 premiere.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Adjective
And according to a couple of the seniors in the secondary, the young defensive backs haven’t been shy about it.
—Dan Lovi, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2025
On the fine spring morning of May 3, Henry led more than 100 armed men singing patriotic songs on the road to Williamsburg, halting that evening only 16 miles shy of the capital.
—Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Zach is fearless in trying new things and exploring unconventional approaches, never shying away from playing ‘ugly,’ old, or unlikable characters.
—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
The 22-year-old did not shy away from his famous father on Sunday night (March 9) during his audition on American Idol‘s season 23 premiere.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shy
Adjective
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To say that does not trivialize the Holocaust, as some timid folk insist.—
Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards,
Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2025
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In middle age, Didi has also become timid after being let down too much by others.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The most notorious incident involved Bret Hart during WCW Starrcade 1999, where a mistimed superkick from Goldberg resulted in a severe concussion that ultimately contributed to Hart's premature retirement.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
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The show is about a mission to bring down notorious Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But the Clippers didn’t flinch, shaking off an early 12-point deficit to beat the Cavs, 132-119, in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.—
Janis Carr,
Orange County Register,
19 Mar. 2025
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But at that moment, looking up from the examination table at Tina, her dark hair framing her unsmiling face, Lilian neither hesitated nor flinched.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While maybe not made for the bashful, the floor-to-ceiling glass doors are incredible at expanding the space—and enjoying every last drop of water from the shower.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Jan. 2025
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Smith’s ambition to present a no-frills establishment is no indication of a bashful pedigree.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Detroit Free Press,
6 Mar. 2024
Adjective
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Kathleen Mangione has supported Baltimore-area hospitals and carried a low profile compared to other family members.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
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Plus, best-selling Bose headphones are down to their lowest price all year.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Classic Farmhouse, East Hampton This house has quite the storied history: its former owners were the Washington Post’s Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn (who later went on to buy perhaps the most infamous house in the Hamptons: Grey Gardens).—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
22 Mar. 2025
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The pair arrived at the International Space Station on June 5 aboard the infamous Boeing Starliner but could not return due to discovered technical issues with the spacecraft.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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By shrinking the gold Mega Ball pool from 25 to 24, the odds of winning the jackpot will improve from about 1 in 302.6 million to 1 in 290.5 million.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2025
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According to the Pew Research Center, the share of Americans in the middle class has shrunk over recent decades.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shy. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
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