1
as in excitable
easily excited by nature
the skittish colt leapt up when we approached
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in timid
easily frightened
the cat is skittish around people she doesn't know
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a skittish housing market had both buyers and sellers on edge
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skittish
Forest elephants are critically endangered, and decades of poaching has left them skittish—sometimes dangerously so.
—
Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
Still, at a time companies are already skittish about going public amid market volatility, the downbeat offering doesn’t give much assurance.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
The president faced an impatient nation that is skittish over his imposition of 25% tariffs on foreign allies, which may raise everyday costs.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Even before the spate of executive orders, firms were skittish about finding themselves at odds with the new Administration.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skittish
Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
Still, at a time companies are already skittish about going public amid market volatility, the downbeat offering doesn’t give much assurance.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
The president faced an impatient nation that is skittish over his imposition of 25% tariffs on foreign allies, which may raise everyday costs.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Even before the spate of executive orders, firms were skittish about finding themselves at odds with the new Administration.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skittish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skittish
Adjective
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The most reliably entertaining are the dryly sardonic Yelena Belova (Pugh) and the excitable, histrionic Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (a showily outsized Harbour).—
Manohla Dargis,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
-
Specifically, her plans to reform the taxation of capital gains have alarmed more than a few wealthy (and excitable) taxpayers.—
Joseph Thorndike,
Forbes,
4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The Makos athletes also noticed that their parents were timid around water.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 May 2025
-
Haney looked timid and afraid for the first four rounds before finding his legs and winning a unanimous decision in a lackluster fight with Jose Ramirez.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Adjective
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Some of the problems are caused by a volatile economic landscape.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
-
Indian authorities have evacuated tens of thousands of civilians from villages near the volatile frontier.—
Rajesh Roy,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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The Trump administration became increasingly nervous at the prospect of a major war erupting in one of the most populous places on the planet.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2025
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A little nervous at first, Harry does well calling the boat in.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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Burnsville officers went to Warren’s home around 9:30 a.m. after her sister called 911, explaining that Warren had called her during a fearful moment, deputies said.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2025
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Without psychological safety, however, discomfort, conflict and ruthless competition can lead to a fearful workforce.—
Sanjeev Menon,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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The Outlaw Music Festival touched down Thursday night on the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, California, and Bob Dylan once again delivered a wildly unpredictable set that stunned even his most hardcore fans.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
16 May 2025
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Markets are unpredictable, and a company's success doesn't ensure future returns.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skittish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skittish. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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