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

\/\/ shy<\/em> with strangers<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'bashful' be used instead of 'shy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ a bashful<\/em> boy out on his first date<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'coy' be a better fit than 'shy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms coy<\/em><\/a> and shy<\/em> are close in meaning, coy<\/em> implies a pretended shyness.<\/p>

\/\/ put off by her coy<\/em> manner<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'diffident' take the place of 'shy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words diffident<\/em><\/a> and shy<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, diffident<\/em> stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking.<\/p>

\/\/ felt diffident<\/em> about raising an objection<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'modest' be used to replace 'shy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of modest<\/em><\/a> and shy<\/em> largely overlap; however, modest<\/em> suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit.<\/p>

\/\/ modest<\/em> about her success<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the adjective 'shy' contrast with its synonyms?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ shy<\/em> with strangers<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'bashful' be used instead of 'shy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ a bashful<\/em> boy out on his first date<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'coy' be a better fit than 'shy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms coy<\/em><\/a> and shy<\/em> are close in meaning, coy<\/em> implies a pretended shyness.<\/p>

\/\/ put off by her coy<\/em> manner<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'diffident' take the place of 'shy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words diffident<\/em><\/a> and shy<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, diffident<\/em> stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking.<\/p>

\/\/ felt diffident<\/em> about raising an objection<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'modest' be used to replace 'shy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of modest<\/em><\/a> and shy<\/em> largely overlap; however, modest<\/em> suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit.<\/p>

\/\/ modest<\/em> about her success<\/p>" } } ] }

shy 1 of 2

adjective

ˈshÄ« How to pronounce shy (audio)
Definition of shynext
1
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
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

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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

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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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shy

2 of 2

verb

as in to flinch

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Dissimilar Words

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

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

Example 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
UConn is 16 steals shy of breaking the single-season national record, which has stood since 1997. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026 Eight strikeouts shy of 250 for her career entering the game, Langford hit that mark against the lead-off batter in the top of the sixth, and her team gathered around its standout hurler on the mound to celebrate. —Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Oil had suddenly skyrocketed to just shy of $120 a barrel and stock futures were plunging as the war raged in the Middle East. —Denitsa Tsekova, Bloomberg, 10 Mar. 2026 Sumrall doesn’t shy away from the expectations at Florida. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shy
  1. timid
  2. withdrawn
  3. lacking
  4. notorious
  5. flinch
  6. bashful
  7. low
  8. infamous
Adjective
  • Jerusalem, timid about the prospect of a land invasion, can only respond with more airstrikes until the regime hits its breaking point and the people rise up.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
  • But they’re considered relatively timid and pose no significant threat to humans.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of timid
Adjective
  • Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.
    — Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Along the way, Babilonia matured from the shy withdrawn child who refused to hold a boy’s hand into a bold, strong and confident woman.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of withdrawn
Adjective
  • Loro Parque, a zoo on the island of Tenerife, offers a clean and safe environment, expert care and proper mental and social stimulation that Wikie and Keijo are desperately lacking.
    — Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Financial vulnerability in Cook County has declined modestly since 2022, with fewer households reporting having less than a week of savings and fewer lacking confidence in reaching long-term goals.
    — Jennifer Tescher, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of lacking
Adjective
  • In July, 2014, at the height of negotiations between the Islamic Republic and world powers over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, my wife and I were arrested and thrown into Evin Prison, a notorious facility known throughout Iran for its cruelty.
    — Jason Rezaian, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Why, some staffers wondered, would the federal government outsource the writing of such critical standards to a nascent technology notorious for making mistakes?
    — Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of notorious
Verb
  • Even as Michigan State came roaring back in the second half, cutting the lead to just two in the final minute, UCLA never flinched.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
  • And general manger Dan Morgan didn’t flinch.
    — Mike Kaye March 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of flinch
Adjective
  • The bashful display marks rock-bottom for Gabbard’s career.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Meanwhile, some of Brady’s former teammates with the Patriots weren’t bashful about their loyalty heading into Super Bowl LX between the Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, including Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Definition of bashful
Adjective
  • Customers in Upper Chichester, Lower Chichester, Marcus Hook and Twin Oaks, might experience low to no water pressure as the main break affects the area.
    — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • While the data show overall birth outcomes improving — declining rates of prematurity, low birth weight, and infant mortality — disparities are still prevalent, particularly for Black women.
    — Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of low
Adjective
  • But even here, there are exceptions, as with this spinach and sausage version loosely inspired by the infamous extra-crispy two-sheet lasagna from New York’s Rolo’s.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Mar. 2026
  • After Miami Beach’s infamous break-up with spring break a couple years ago, Fort Lauderdale seems to be the real spring break hot spot.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of infamous

Phrases Containing shy

Browse Nearby Words

shut up
shy
shy (from or away from)
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Cite this Entry

“Shy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shy. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of shy for Spanish Speakers

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