as in shy
easily frightened
a timid rabbit hopped cautiously out of the hedge
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of timid
In the film, McAdams plays Linda, a timid employee who is stranded on a desert island with her sleazy boss (Dylan O’Brien) and begins to resort to a more primal personality.
—
Jenelle Riley, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
Lucerys was younger than Jacaerys and slightly more timid, but still wanted to help gather alliances for Rhaenyra.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
The REITs are timid in other ways.
—Phoebe Liu, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Obama was too timid and the ayatollah and the Revolutionary Guard cracked down, preserving the system of tyranny.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for timid
Jenelle Riley, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
Lucerys was younger than Jacaerys and slightly more timid, but still wanted to help gather alliances for Rhaenyra.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
The REITs are timid in other ways.
—Phoebe Liu, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Obama was too timid and the ayatollah and the Revolutionary Guard cracked down, preserving the system of tyranny.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for timid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for timid
Adjective
-
Kristian Houston was a shy, nervous child who was afraid to speak in front of a crowd.—
Kamal Morgan
February 5,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Continue in the southerly direction, appreciating the gnarled coast live oaks and sound of shy red-eared sliders plopping off their logs into the water.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Public opinion surveys conducted for the report show much of the world is already fearful that is happening.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Khanna said his office had been flooded with calls and emails as the mixed messaging left many local residents fearful.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The lesser among them, the timorous, the doubtful, and the wavering, stood back, watching, waiting for some greater sign, savoring their doubts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The great danger of that moment was that a political backlash — abetted by a furious media and timorous politicians — would lead to a restoration of the policy of Roe.—
The Editors,
National Review,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
The scariest jump in ice skating requires your shoulders, hips, knees and feet to be in perfect alignment.—
Kelly O'Grady,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Range anxiety never sounded so scary.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Number two, everyone is scared.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Individuals, nonprofits and local businesses collect bags of food, baby formula, diapers and other items and deliver them to people too scared to leave their homes.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Throughout much of the play, Lucila hides her insecurities with conservative clothing and a mousey demeanor.—
Mary Damiano,
Miami Herald,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Raimi delights in turning a mousy, reality-TV-loving woman into a boar-hunting, shelter-building alpha dog.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What happens to the funding for buses and light rail when people are afraid to ride them, and no one buys bus tickets?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Too Much Wall Art Wall art is a great way to make a space feel more complete, but don't be afraid to leave some blank space here and there.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In one of those realities (the actual one most of us are living in), a growing number of people across the political spectrum are angered, terrified and disgusted by actions being taken in their names by people and agencies which seem to have little or no accountability.—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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The bodycam video was an eye-opening look at the frightening aftermath of the Brown campus shooting when police were searching room-by-room for the suspect, trying to comfort and care for terrified students, and trying to coordinate with campus police to get past locked doors.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Timid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/timid. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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