1
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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2
as in shy
not comfortable around people
a coy toddler who hides whenever anyone comes to the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of coy
The mayor didn’t play coy when asked if he was invited and attending the wedding.
—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
16 June 2026
But the buzziest news for Mammoth will likely be its initial public offering, although the co-CEOs played coy about those potential plans.
—
Amelia Lucas,melissa Repko,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
There’s no point trying to be coy or cryptic about this stuff.
—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
Most manufacturers that have announced Wildcat Lake laptops are playing coy about pricing and availability—this is somewhat understandable, given ongoing pricing volatility and component supply shortages.
—
Andrew Cunningham,
ArsTechnica,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for coy
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
16 June 2026
But the buzziest news for Mammoth will likely be its initial public offering, although the co-CEOs played coy about those potential plans.
—
Amelia Lucas,melissa Repko,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
There’s no point trying to be coy or cryptic about this stuff.
—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
Most manufacturers that have announced Wildcat Lake laptops are playing coy about pricing and availability—this is somewhat understandable, given ongoing pricing volatility and component supply shortages.
—
Andrew Cunningham,
ArsTechnica,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for coy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coy
Adjective
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With sheer fabrics, lightweight materials, and vintage touches, Bella Hadid succumbed to the most coquettish piece of the moment.
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The desire for mental stimulation, variety and excitement is undeniable, but beneath all of the coquettish energy, something vulnerable is also starting to unfold.
Adjective
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Willis, who was one of the group's founders in the 1970s, died one day shy of his 75th birthday.
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His six goals tied Argentina forward Lionel Messi for the tournament lead and gave him 18 in his World Cup career, one shy of Messi's record.
Adjective
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Simply brushing them out of your eyes can feel like a coquettish, kittenish gesture!
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Seductively kittenish, Gardner lives up to her profane reputation.
Adjective
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The withdrawn draft focused on setting up several new watchdogs to keep AI in check, including a dedicated commission and a special insurance fund to help people if the new technology caused harm.
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The story follows Trey, a withdrawn ex-con surviving as a night driver on the city’s margins, who forms a tentative and increasingly intimate bond with Camden (Dafne Keen), a sharp and restless young woman working as a call girl.
Adjective
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His debut on the annual awards program’s main stage featured a live guitarist amplifying the atmospheric vibe of the flirtatious song.
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Someone may approach you with an exciting idea, an invitation or a flirtatious offer, but mixed signals around family, home or your emotional bandwidth could complicate things.
Adjective
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Over the course of a few days, this bashful teen, always armed with her camcorder and far less free-spirited than her cousins, will be beset by her father’s feuding family.
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Overall and head-to-head goal differential are tiebreakers for group placement, and the Norwegians won’t be bashful about scoring as many times as possible.
Adjective
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Despite the actress’s desire for something more demure, the dress itself was actually quite ornate.
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Cole, 30, offset her Elie Saab Haute Couture piece with a more demure look, opting for a pair of deep brown trousers with a matching suit jacket.
Cite this Entry
“Coy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coy. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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