1
as in excitable
easily excited by nature
the skittish colt leapt up when we approached
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2
as in timid
easily frightened
the cat is skittish around people she doesn't know
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3
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a skittish housing market had both buyers and sellers on edge
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skittish
Combine that with major studios presumably getting more skittish about greenlighting LGBTQ+ content, and the slate is getting thinner.
—
Samantha Allen, Them., 2 Sep. 2025
Simply put, the project teaches people to look for a yellow ribbon tied to a dog’s collar, which signifies that the dog is skittish and requires extra care, possibly including a conversation with the pup’s owner when approaching.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2025
Yet, some investors are only getting more skittish as the market continues to run higher.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2025
In Lenexa, there will be several small plastic pools on the pool’s concrete deck open to any skittish dogs or senior dogs who want to be a part of the fun but don’t want to get in the big pool.
—Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skittish
Samantha Allen, Them., 2 Sep. 2025
Simply put, the project teaches people to look for a yellow ribbon tied to a dog’s collar, which signifies that the dog is skittish and requires extra care, possibly including a conversation with the pup’s owner when approaching.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2025
Yet, some investors are only getting more skittish as the market continues to run higher.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2025
In Lenexa, there will be several small plastic pools on the pool’s concrete deck open to any skittish dogs or senior dogs who want to be a part of the fun but don’t want to get in the big pool.
—Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skittish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skittish
Adjective
-
When pyramidal cells are too excitable, memory processing becomes noisy and disorganized.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Tony has fully bought into the dream, and Skarsgård plays him with excitable, boyish humor, almost as if the whole thing were a game.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Even Reach's multiplayer took bold new steps, with the introduction of new mechanics and timid moves towards player classes.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The timid girl, the ruffian guy.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In such a volatile climate, remarks that appear dismissive or insensitive can end careers, as networks and broadcasters face mounting pressure to act.—
Martha McHardy
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Relief pitching might be among the more volatile areas if not the department offering the most volatility.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Nearly nine out of 10 institutional investors (89%) are nervous about investing in bitcoin due to its record-breaking growth, fearing losses from buying at all-time highs.—
Lawrence Wintermeyer,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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One new attorney who joined his program started with little knowledge and was nervous about joining.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But hundreds of thousands still remain, fearful of moving south despite a severe lack of food and a barrage of airstrikes.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
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The sheriff said Robinson was fearful of being killed by police and asked to avoid a SWAT standoff.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
How to survive the fast food temptation Life is unpredictable.—
Michiko Tomioka,
CNBC,
19 Sep. 2025
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Energy costs remain unpredictable, and regulators are raising the bar.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skittish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skittish. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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