EN

Synonyms for diffidence

  • noun

Most common

self-doubt self-distrust shyness timidity

Synonyms by meaning

Noun

1. Self-doubt

self-doubt, self-distrust

2. Shyness

shyness, timidity, humility, apprehension, fear, feer US, fere UK, modesty, distrust, hesitation, suspicion, doubt, shame, bashfulness, misgiving

Antonyms

confidence, assurance, self-confidence

All antonyms of diffidence →

Definitions

  1. n. 1

    The state of being diffident, timid or shy; reticence or self-effacement.

Forms

Plural
diffidences → self-doubts, shynesses, timidities, humilities…

Choose the right word

Diffidence or Modesty?

Diffidence is self-distrust; modesty, a humble estimate of oneself in comparison with others, or with the demands of some undertaking.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

  • shyness His shyness made public speaking a torment to him.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
diffidencesteady
shynessrising
timiditysteady

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters
fear1, fere, feer
5 letters
doubt1, shame1
7 letters
modesty3, shyness2
8 letters
humility4, distrust2, timidity4
9 letters
suspicion3, misgiving3
10 letters
hesitation4
11 letters
bashfulness3
12 letters
apprehension4

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (modesty3 = 3 syllables).