as in fearful
easily frightened
a timid rabbit hopped cautiously out of the hedge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hesitation
lack of willingness to assert oneself and take risks
none of the scouts showed the least timidity about rappeling down the cliff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 timid
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
The change in mood was compounded by Villa’s timid 3-0 defeat against Crystal Palace, which was even more passive and void of inspiration.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Having wandered into the middle of their melee in his pajamas, this timid, slightly nebbishy dude is a mystery to all of them.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for timid
Adjective
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
The change in mood was compounded by Villa’s timid 3-0 defeat against Crystal Palace, which was even more passive and void of inspiration.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Having wandered into the middle of their melee in his pajamas, this timid, slightly nebbishy dude is a mystery to all of them.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for timid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for timid
Adjective
-
As the Republican Party braces for aftershocks from President Donald Trump’s spectacular clash with Elon Musk, lawmakers and conservative figures are urging détente, fearful of the potential consequences from a prolonged feud.—
Chris Megerian,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
-
That has put greater attention on the employment data, with investors fearful that upcoming reports will start to show consumers and businesses crumbling under the weight of tariffs.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
At the time, there was some hesitation in the industry about partnering with a Chinese drugmaker.—
Kerry A. Dolan,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
However, during the hearing, lobbyists for both the Chiefs and Royals would not commit to staying in Missouri if the plan passed, which could spark hesitation among some senators.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
The mogul has never been shy about expressing his ambitions.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
2 June 2025
-
Instead of crunch, there’s an intense smoke flavor that’s just shy of overpowering, and a denseness similar to ham.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Choosing to be bold and to fight fear is not the easy choice.—
Mitchell W. Berger,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2025
-
By the end of the month, Mercury will clash with Pluto retrograde, forcing intense conversations that bring hidden fears around your work environment and culture, or past experiences that need to be dealt with to the surface.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Make that the second scariest, as Claire’s antics bring another menacing character into their lives, when her dealer, Jackie (Domhnall Gleeson), shows up at Echo Valley looking for 10 grand in heroin.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 June 2025
-
Not only is sitting on the potty all by yourself a little bit scary, but nobody likes putting play to a stop to use the potty, either.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Many of his followers are schoolboys — something that has sparked concern among educators worldwide.—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
28 May 2025
-
While the insurance industry is not opposed to a study, the way this legislation is structured raises serious concerns.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Hundreds of timorous Timothée Chalamet lookalikes congregated in Washington Square Park.—
Raven Smith,
Vogue,
18 Dec. 2024
-
Phillips has made a jukebox spectacle that’s bold in conception but oddly cautious, even timorous, in execution.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
11 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Because of the outsize anticipation, initial reports of delays and extensive rewrites on Season 2 created worries that the series’ intricate narrative puzzle might implode.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
-
There happens to be one available that would help ease any worry about Bosa's injury issues throughout the year.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Timid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/timid. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share