diffidently

Examples

• All

• Clay came to me about a week ago and asked very diffidently for a favor.

  Blog text (4)

• " Are you ill?" he asked again diffidently from the doorway.

  Fiction book (1995)

• "Is it your father?" my mother says diffidently.

  Fiction book (1995)

• At last, she offered it diffidently.

  Fiction book (1992)

• "I was just wondering?" she began diffidently.

  Fiction book (1991)

• "What were they like?" Bob Easley asked diffidently.

  Fiction book (1999)

• "Excuse me," Leslie said diffidently.

  Fiction book (1998)

• I sat down near him and leaned back against a rock, watching him a little diffidently.

  Fiction book (1991)

• "Easy enough," Jaxom replied diffidently.

  Fiction book (1991)

• "He's really worried," Roger said diffidently into the fresh silence.

  Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

S

shyly

vsdiffidently

15 1.0

Behave in a quiet, nervous way around other people

is broader, covering low confidence and not speaking up

H

hesitantly

vsdiffidently

14 3.2

In a slow, unsure way because of doubt

is shyness and lack of assertiveness rather than just doubt

T

timidly

vsdiffidently

7 3.2

Move or speak in a shy, nervous way because of low confidence

is about shyness and low confidence rather than strong fear

D

demurely

vsdiffidently

3 6.1

In a quiet, modest way that shows shyness

is less about politeness, more about lacking confidence to assert

B

bashfully

vsdiffidently

1 3.5

In a shy, embarrassed way that avoids eye contact

is more about avoiding assertiveness and low confidence

T

timorously

vsdiffidently

• Formal

1 8.2

To act in a shy and scared way

is shyness and lack of assertion rather than high fear

H

hesitatingly

vsdiffidently

1 6.1

In a slow, unsure way that shows doubt

is caused by low confidence and shyness rather than simple indecision

U

unassertively

vsdiffidently

7.3

In a quiet way that shows little confidence or desire to speak up

is driven by shyness and lack of self confidence

I

insecurely

vsdiffidently

5.0

In a nervous way that shows little confidence

is mainly social shyness and reluctance to assert opinions

R

reticently

vsdiffidently

8.0

In a quiet way, not wanting to speak or give information

is shyness and low confidence rather than silence or secrecy

R

reservedly

vsdiffidently

7.4

In a quiet, careful way that does not show feelings or strong opinions

is driven by lack of confidence and shyness, not only formality

Antonyms

C

confidently

36 2.9

In a way that shows a person is sure and not afraid

How Shy

timidly

7 3.2

diffidently

1 7.9

bashfully

1 3.5

shyly

15 1.0

reservedly

7.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology