1
a
: lively or frisky in action : capricious
b
2
: easily frightened : restive
a skittish horse
skittishly
adverb
skittishness
noun
Examples of skittish in a Sentence
We've been skittish about taking on such a large mortgage.
the skittish colt leapt up when we approached
Recent Examples on the Web
Nikita was running around in the sprawling backyard, skittish because of all the commotion, Padilla said.
—
Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
The new venture would not be a bank, but would operate almost like one — without the regulatory restrictions and government oversight that had made traditional banks skittish about this market.
—Rob Copeland, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
The executives were a little skittish at the prospect of a show that specifically aimed to terrify children and opted to pass.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Jack is outside with the horses, who are suddenly and inexplicably skittish — and in a flash, Jake figures out why.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skittish
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Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
The new venture would not be a bank, but would operate almost like one — without the regulatory restrictions and government oversight that had made traditional banks skittish about this market.
—Rob Copeland, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
The executives were a little skittish at the prospect of a show that specifically aimed to terrify children and opted to pass.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Jack is outside with the horses, who are suddenly and inexplicably skittish — and in a flash, Jake figures out why.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skittish
Cite this Entry
“Skittish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skittish. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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