COY Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of coy are bashful , diffident , modest , and shy . While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," coy implies a pretended shyness. // put off by her coy manner

Q: Where would 'bashful' be a reasonable alternative to 'coy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to coy , bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence. // a bashful boy out on his first date

Q: When would 'diffident' be a good substitute for 'coy'?

While the synonyms diffident and coy are close in meaning, 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 is it sensible to use 'modest' instead of 'coy'?

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

Q: When could 'shy' be used to replace 'coy'?

In some situations, the words shy and coy are roughly equivalent. However, shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others. // shy with strangers

coy

adjective

ˈkȯi

Definition of coy next

as in coquettish

affecting shyness or modesty in order to attract masculine interest not wanting him to know that she was interested in him, she acted very coy at the dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in shy

not comfortable around people a coy toddler who hides whenever anyone comes to the house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective coy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of coy are bashful, diffident, modest, and shy. While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," coy implies a pretended shyness.

put off by her coy manner

Where would bashful be a reasonable alternative to coy?

While in some cases nearly identical to coy, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.

a bashful boy out on his first date

When would diffident be a good substitute for coy?

While the synonyms diffident and coy are close in meaning, 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 is it sensible to use modest instead of coy?

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

modest about her success

When could shy be used to replace coy?

In some situations, the words shy and coy are roughly equivalent. However, shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others.

shy with strangers

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 coy The convertible, part of the company's new Coachbuild Collection, will be unabashedly costly and extravagant -- Rolls-Royce's CEO Chris Brownridge is coy about the price when asked -- and illustrates how the 120-year-old brand continues to reinvent itself. —

Morgan Korn, ABC News, 8 May 2026 But screenwriter Aline Brosh-McKenna is playing coy. —

Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 May 2026 Cohen played coy as to whether Leakes' involvement in Ultimate Girls Trip could lead to her returning to RHOA in any capacity. —

Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026 Smith engaged in such coy gamesmanship ahead of Game 1, even on obvious matters such as his starting goalie. —

Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for coy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coy

Adjective

The desire for mental stimulation, variety and excitement is undeniable, but beneath all of the coquettish energy, something vulnerable is also starting to unfold.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
The intelligence official, who helps train America’s newest generation of overseas intelligence officers, said these pretend tourists feign a lack of English, adopt a coquettish manner and play dumb to probe the area’s perimeter and identify its weak and strong points.

— Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026

Definition of coquettish

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coxswains

coy

coyness

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“Coy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coy. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of coy

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