Synonyms for shy
43 synonyms for “shy”, grouped by meaning. Dark green words mean nearly the same thing; light green ones are close in some uses.
Shy as in “timid”
adjective: lacking self-confidence
- timid
- throw
- pitch
- cast
- chuck
- fling
- bowl
- dash
- lob
- toss
- heave
- chunk
- jerk
- launch
- hurl
- peg
- diffident
- whop
- bashful
- slight
- sling
- peck
- hesitant
- whip
- wing
- hurtle
- coy
- demure
- start
- dump
- skew
- precipitate
- startle
- thrill
- pick
- quoit
- unassertive
- traject
Shy as in “wary”
adjective: wary and distrustful; disposed to avoid persons or things
- retiring
- wary
- cautious
- nervous
- modest
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