Synonyms of shy
62 similar words · 17 opposite words
Another word for shy is timid. Other synonyms of shy are project, launch, bowl, cast and bashful.
Synonyms and similar words for shy
verbTo avoid due to caution, embarrassment or timidness.
- shy awayTo draw back in fear, cringe, back down.
verbTo throw sideways with a jerk; to fling.
- bowlTo roll or throw (a ball) in the correct manner in cricket and similar games and sports.
- bung Australia, UK
- castTo throw.
- chuckTo throw, especially in a careless or inaccurate manner.
- chunk slangTo throw.
- dashTo throw violently.
- dumpTo put or throw down with more or less of violence; hence, to unload from a cart by tilting it.
- feck
- flingTo throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl.
- heaveTo throw, cast.
- hieldTo throw; cast; put.
- hoy AustraliaTo throw.
- huckTo throw or chuck.
- hurlTo throw (something) with force.
- launchTo throw (a projectile such as a lance, dart or ball); to hurl; to propel with force.
- lobTo throw.
- peckTo throw.
- peg slangTo throw.
- pitchTo throw.
- precipitateTo throw an object or person from a great height.
- projectTo cast (an image or shadow) upon a surface; to throw or cast forward; to shoot forth.
- quoitTo throw like a quoit.
- slightTo throw heedlessly.
- skewTo hurl or throw.
- slingTo throw with a circular or arcing motion.
- throw
- tossTo throw with an initial upward direction.
- trajectTo throw or cast through, over, or across.
- whang Australia, UKTo throw with a rapid slamming motion.
- whipTo throw or kick an object at a high velocity.
- whopTo throw or move (something) quickly, usually with an impact.
- wingTo throw.
- yeet slang
- cook UK, dialectalTo throw.
- jerk obsoleteTo throw with a quick and suddenly arrested motion of the hand.
- hurtle archaic, literaryTo propel or throw (something) hard or violently; to fling, to hurl.
- pick obsoleteTo throw; to pitch.
- thrill obsoleteTo hurl; to throw; to cast.
- warp obsolete, rareTo throw.
adjectiveMore synonyms
- abashedEmbarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.
- backwardReluctant or unwilling to advance or act; shy.
- bashfulShy; not liking to be noticed; socially timid.
- bookish
- coyBashful, shy, retiring.
- distant
- embarrassed
- hesitantTending to hesitate, wait, or proceed with caution or reservation.
- mousy
- unassertiveNot assertive.
- passive
- quiet
- reclusiveOf, characterized by, or preferring privacy and isolation; secluded.
- retiringIntroverted, liking privacy and seclusion.
- sheep-faced
- sheepishShy, meek, ashamed or embarrassed.
- submissive
- timidLacking in courage or confidence.
- uncommunicativeTending not to communicate; not communicating.
- shamefast archaicBashful, modest; shy.
Opposite of shy
adjectiveEasily frightened; timid.
- bold
- brave
- confidentSelf-assured, self-reliant, sure of oneself.
- courageous
- adventurous
- fearlessWithout fear.
- unshyNot shy.
adjectiveReserved; disinclined to familiar approach.
adjectiveMore antonyms
- barefaced
- impudent
- immodestWithout customary restraint or modesty of expression; shameless.
- unblushing
Meaning of shy
- adjective Easily frightened; timid.
- adjective Reserved; disinclined to familiar approach.
- adjective Cautious; wary; suspicious.
shy in other languages
Questions about synonyms of shy
- What is another word for shy?
- Shy has 62 synonyms on Word.ws, such as timid, project, launch, bowl, cast, bashful, toss and pitch.
- What is the opposite of shy?
- The opposite of shy is confident. Other antonyms of shy are audacious, unshy, fearless, immodest and bold.
- What does shy mean?
- Shy means easily frightened; timid.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: shy (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
Last updated:
Cite this page: “Synonyms of shy.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/shy. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.