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timorousness

timorousness

9.3
A strong fear of trying new things or meeting new people
  • noun
  • /ˈtɪmərəsnəs/
translation icon : timidez

Examples

  • Now I knew the reason for her timorousness: worry over Brownie's outbursts.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Do they require more of Hobbes's Men of natural timorousness, or do they require more Ralph Espositos?

  • It was strange to see her timorousness yielding to vehemence.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • It's the cheaters who are in control of the moral climate in which exams are given and papers assigned, and students who act honorably are very nearly paralyzed by a diffidence or timorousness about calling public attention to what is going on.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Her timorousness prevented her from speaking up in the meeting, even when she had valuable ideas.

  • He struggled with timorousness when asked to perform in front of an audience for the first time.

  • The child's timorousness was evident as he hesitated at the entrance of the darkened room.

Synonyms

nervousness
vstimorousness
36 2.7

A feeling of being worried or anxious

is more about fear and lacking courage in new situations not only anxiety
shyness
vstimorousness
21 2.8

Feeling nervous and uncomfortable around other people

is broader, including fear in many settings beyond social discomfort
reticence
vstimorousness
10 7.8

A feeling of not wanting to speak or share thoughts

involves fear and lack of courage not merely a quiet manner
hesitancy
vstimorousness
7 4.2

A short pause before you act because you are not sure

is more about fear or lack of courage than mere decision delay
timidity
vstimorousness
7 5.8

Feeling too shy or afraid to try new things

is mainly about being afraid rather than merely reluctant to act
hesitance
vstimorousness
3 5.3

A short pause before doing or saying something because you feel unsure

tends to include fear in unfamiliar situations rather than simple reluctance
diffidence
vstimorousness
2 8.4

Shyness and lack of confidence that makes someone hesitate to speak or act

is more about fear and avoidance in new situations than reserve
tentativeness
vstimorousness
1 7.0

A feeling of being unsure and slow to decide

leans more toward fear and avoidance in new settings than mere uncertainty
timidness
vstimorousness
1 4.9

Feeling afraid and not confident in new or unknown situations

is more focused on fear and avoidance than simple uncertainty
bashfulness
vstimorousness
1 3.9

Being shy and easily embarrassed around other people

is more about fear and lack of courage not just embarrassment
sheepishness
vstimorousness
1 5.6

A feeling of being embarrassed and shy after making a mistake

is about general fear or lack of courage not situational embarrassment
pusillanimousness
vstimorousness
  • Formal
9.9

A lack of courage that makes a person afraid to act

is a personal fearful quality not primarily intended as criticism
fearsomeness
vstimorousness
6.4

A tendency to be easily scared or nervous

focuses on fearfulness rather than hesitation or social reserve
milquetoast attitude
vstimorousness
  • Informal
9.9

A very timid way of behaving that avoids risk and conflict

is a fearful personal trait rather than just weak behavior
tremulousness
vstimorousness
8.8

A feeling of nervousness that makes your hands or voice shake

highlights inner fear and low confidence rather than physical shaking
apprehensiveness
vstimorousness
7.4

A feeling of worry or fear about something that might happen

is about fearful reactions in unfamiliar settings rather than future worry

Antonyms

456 2.1

A belief that you can do something well

8 4.1

Not being afraid in danger or trouble

How Timid

cowardice
46 5.5
fearfulness
1 4.5
timorousness
9.3
timidity
7 5.8
nervousness
36 2.7
shyness
21 2.8

Surface Forms

timorousness singular

Morphology

timorousness = timorous (transparent) = timorous + ness

Formed by adding the nominalizing suffix '-ness' to the adjective 'timorous', yielding the quality/state 'being timid', which is a direct, regular derivation.

Etymology

The word timorousness comes from the Latin root timor meaning 'fear' and the verb timere meaning 'to fear'. So, timorousness is like being very timid—shy, afraid, and not confident, especially in new situations.