1
as in coquettish
affecting shyness or modesty in order to attract masculine interest
not wanting him to know that she was interested in him, she acted very coy at the dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in shy
not comfortable around people
a coy toddler who hides whenever anyone comes to the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of coy
Chalfant illustrates this in the film with exquisite subtlety, assuming by turns the disposition of a coy flirt and a take-charge kitchen taskmaster.
—
Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 20 June 2025
Jacobs-Jenkins came to think that that coy allusion was a bad idea.
—Adam Moss, Vulture, 30 May 2025
Where other editors would remain strategically coy.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
However, the cast has stayed coy about any specifics of the film.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for coy
Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 20 June 2025
Jacobs-Jenkins came to think that that coy allusion was a bad idea.
—Adam Moss, Vulture, 30 May 2025
Where other editors would remain strategically coy.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
However, the cast has stayed coy about any specifics of the film.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for coy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coy
Adjective
-
Guests did not shy from donning some of the designer’s more out-there creations.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
9 July 2025
-
Talk about Travis Scott starts just shy of the 1:30 mark.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
8 July 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
-
Often, people that indulge in this type of culture are considered anti-social or withdrawn, a stereotype that has been passed around for years.—
Dominick Williams,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
-
People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent.—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Mars joined Rosé onstage at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium to showcase the flirtatious track, which sees the pair dueting on vocals and sharing the hooky chorus.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
14 July 2025
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Dinklage is particularly amusing as the giddy, genteel Prater, while Ritter balances wry disdain with flirtatious charm as Mia. Hall is, as always, entertaining as Dexter, delivering his character’s signature blend of deadpan humor and an earnest façade.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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There are dozens of people screaming his name and the young Ronaldo appears bashful and shy.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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But that hasn't stopped Chisholm, who is not bashful about adding chains and non-uniform colors to his look, from getting criticism.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the outfits, however, saw Madonna stepping out of her edgy comfort zone and into something more demure.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
18 June 2025
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At the same time, a more demure set of scientists was quietly laying the foundation for the renovation of social Darwinism in mainstream biological thinking.—
Erik Baker,
Harpers Magazine,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coy. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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