Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective coy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of coy are bashful, diffident, modest, and shy. While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," coy implies a pretended shyness.

put off by her coy manner

Where would bashful be a reasonable alternative to coy?

While in some cases nearly identical to coy, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.

a bashful boy out on his first date

When would diffident be a good substitute for coy?

While the synonyms diffident and coy are close in meaning, diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking.

felt diffident about raising an objection

When is it sensible to use modest instead of coy?

The meanings of modest and coy largely overlap; however, modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit.

modest about her success

When could shy be used to replace coy?

In some situations, the words shy and coy are roughly equivalent. However, shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others.

shy with strangers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of coy Asked if Democrats were trying to incite that clash, Bera was coy. Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2024 Sarah Stier/Getty Images/Getty Images North America DALLAS — At baseball's annual winter meetings in Dallas, the only manager coy with his compliments about superstar Juan Soto was the one in charge of his new team, if the reports are to be believed. Becky Sullivan, NPR, 9 Dec. 2024 His agent prob being quite coy and feeding the media to improve terms. Carl Anka, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025 Skeleton Crew plays a bit coy with which elements of Episodes IV through VI first became myth, then product. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for coy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coy
Adjective
  • They may be drawn to partners who provide excitement but shy away from relationships that require effort, compromise or emotional depth.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • And some shy away from expressing controversial takes — even anonymously.
    James Mirtle, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Madelyn Cline went full-on Old Hollywood bombshell, kittenish liner, polished lengths, and all.
    Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2023
  • With a basis of flawless skin—smoothing and hydration offered via Kylie Skin Face Moisturizer and Eye Cream—Phillips pulled a thick wing of black liner along Jenner's lids, a diminutive wing beneath the lower lashline providing a kittenish complement.
    Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2021
Adjective
  • Hong’s withdrawn gaze is interrupted by sudden movements, like pans across space and crash zooms into ongoing conversations.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Solitary, eccentric, shrouded in a mystical melancholy, Joakim fights for his farm and leads a withdrawn life, with only his pets and a neighbor for company; a Slovak immigrant who also lives ostracized, as an outsider.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Your thoughts are engaging and flirtatious, and love is right around the corner.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
  • The flirtatious exchange began after Yung Miami shared a clip of herself on X/Twitter in a tight denim corset, playfully tousling her hair and giving the camera a wink and kiss.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • McNally is professionally bashful about such associations.
    Matthew Schneier, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Some of the folks were happy to have their pictures taken, while others were more bashful and/or private, preferring that only their watch be photographed.
    Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Both have an appealing, demure and understated look.
    David Phelan, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Spicy romance is ‘an act of resistance’ Spicy romance bucks the trad wife trends, which promote traditional gender roles and more demure discussion of sexuality.
    Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Coy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coy. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on coy

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