SHY Synonyms: 308 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of shy are bashful , coy , diffident , and modest . While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others. // shy with strangers

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

The words bashful and shy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence. // a bashful boy out on his first date

Q: When might 'coy' be a better fit than 'shy'?

While the synonyms coy and shy are close in meaning, coy implies a pretended shyness. // put off by her coy manner

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

In some situations, the words diffident and shy are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could 'modest' be used to replace 'shy'?

The meanings of modest and shy largely overlap; however, modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit. // modest about her success

shy 1 of 2

adjective

ˈshī

Definition of shy next

as in timid

easily frightened a shy cat who hid under the bed every time she heard any loud noise

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in withdrawn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

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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

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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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shy

2 of 2

verb

as in to flinch

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a shy person

a timid person

an introverted person

a quiet person

a bashful person

a nervous person

a shy smile

a sheepish smile

a slight smile

a subtle smile

a nervous smile

a reluctant smile

shy creatures

reclusive creatures

stealthy creatures

solitary creatures

wary creatures

skittish creatures

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective shy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shy are bashful, coy, diffident, and modest. While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others.

shy with strangers

When can bashful be used instead of shy?

The words bashful and shy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.

a bashful boy out on his first date

When might coy be a better fit than shy?

While the synonyms coy and shy are close in meaning, coy implies a pretended shyness.

put off by her coy manner

In what contexts can diffident take the place of shy?

In some situations, the words diffident and shy are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could modest be used to replace shy?

The meanings of modest and shy largely overlap; however, modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit.

modest about her success

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 shy

Adjective

For the shy, press-green Madison, the pitfalls are a bit unavoidable. —

Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025 Needing 77 yards to reach 1,000 yards for the first time in his four seasons, Jennings came 25 yards shy of that milestone. —

Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2025

Verb

She's tried all the Sephora options but certainly doesn't shy away from a drugstore shelf. —

Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024 Secondhand Gifts When shopping for friends and family members, don't shy away from the thrift store. —

Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shy

Adjective

From Dickinson to Colton Dach, who was making his NHL debut, to Nolan Allan and much of the lineup, the Blackhawks weren’t timid.

Scott Powers, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Usually, a player who has been injured for that long will come in and be timid and not want to do anything too crazy.

Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2024