1
as in excitable
easily excited by nature
the skittish colt leapt up when we approached
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2
as in timid
easily frightened
the cat is skittish around people she doesn't know
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3
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a skittish housing market had both buyers and sellers on edge
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of skittish
Progressives love the idea, but even many moderate Democrats are skittish about the prospect.
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Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
His scar doesn't seem to physically affect him, but he gets spooked by sudden or loud noises and can be skittish.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
John Higgins and Martin Herlihy play skittish first-time skydivers.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024
But skittish investors are now concerned about the outlook for a bellwether banking stock, along with broader concerns about slowing U.S. economic growth.
—Hugh Son, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for skittish 
Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
His scar doesn't seem to physically affect him, but he gets spooked by sudden or loud noises and can be skittish.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
John Higgins and Martin Herlihy play skittish first-time skydivers.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024
But skittish investors are now concerned about the outlook for a bellwether banking stock, along with broader concerns about slowing U.S. economic growth.
—Hugh Son, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for skittish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skittish
Adjective
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Thank you for being the most generous, excitable, magical crowds, and for breaking the all time attendance record for the stadium all 3 nights.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
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There’s naïve Jill (Nicola Turner and then, in adulthood, Helena Wilson), excitable Ruby (Sophia Ally and Ophelia Lovibond), and fretful Gloria (Nancy Allsop and Leanne Best); and then—played by Lara McDonnell as a teen and by Donnelly in a pointed piece of double-casting as an adult—there’s Joan.Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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The prologue might end with a paroxysm of violence, but first there are a few timid whimpers of nascent pleasure; Bill Skarsgård’s base and primal Count Orlok is a nightmare who arrives on the wings of a nocturnal emission.David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2024
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Unexpectedly, the timid Noa takes his brother’s side, wrapping a scarf around his uncle’s neck.Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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The Declare label — which comes on 20 of Moore & Giles’ collections — also outlines life expectancy and end-life options for the leather, as well as origin and volatile organic compounds (VOC) off-gassing.Jennifer Bringle, WWD, 12 Dec. 2024
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Still, food price growth is notoriously volatile and many factors that determine costs are often outside the government's control.Rob Wile, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Tyler Hines did such an amazing job of being a mentor this season, and a supporter for all of us nervous guys in the middle of a competition.Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
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Read more Auto giants are getting nervous about the prospect of mega fines as EV demand falters ‘Europe’s Detroit’ built a thriving car industry.Sam Meredith, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Insiders expect a short-term funding bill that kicks the spending battle to early next year, although Republican senators are fearful that chaos in the House could derail Trump’s agenda.Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
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Nguyen said that in the wake of this nationwide trend, the Asian community is fearful but is coming together and taking extra precautions to be safe.Deena Zaru, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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However, logistical challenges, such as unpredictable weather, play a role in these considerations.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
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Success, the author argues, is primarily the product of unpredictable social processes, support from famous sponsors, and a perfect match with the zeitgeist.Christian Stadler, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near skittish
Cite this Entry
“Skittish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skittish. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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