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Showing results for lacking confidence. Search instead for Improving Confidence.

lacking confidence

ADJECTIVE
hesitant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afraid averse doubtful halting indecisive loath reluctant shy skeptical slow tentative timid unsure unwilling
WEAK
backward dawdling delaying diffident disinclined doubting faltering half-hearted hanging back hesitating irresolute lazy uneager unpredictable vacillating wavering
Antonyms
STRONGEST
believing bold brave certain confident decisive definite eager extroverted fearless ready sure willing
WEAK
resolute unhesitant unwavering
ADJECTIVE
vacillant
Synonyms
WEAK
afraid averse backward dawdling delaying diffident disinclined doubtful doubting faltering half-hearted halting hanging back hesitating indecisive irresolute lazy loath pendulous reluctant shilly-shally shy skeptical slow tentative timid uneager unpredictable unsure unwilling vacillating vacillatory wavering
ADJECTIVE
vacillatory
Synonyms
WEAK
afraid averse backward dawdling delaying diffident disinclined doubtful doubting faltering half-hearted halting hanging back hesitating indecisive irresolute lazy loath pendulous reluctant shilly-shally shy skeptical slow tentative timid uneager unpredictable unsure unwilling vacillant vacillating wavering

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The 30-year-old artist from Idaho found herself lacking confidence and routinely deferring to her older partner, a dynamic she attributed in part to a disparity in life experience.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025

Patterson looked precisely what he is - a rusty player lacking confidence.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2024

It was difficult to see Spence that way: depleted, beaten, lacking confidence.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 30, 2023

Were Biles to go out there lacking confidence — were she to spin out of control — there could be serious consequences.

From Washington Post • Jul. 28, 2021

The opinions of the rest were as vacillating as their courage, many of them lacking confidence in the governor.

From The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume 29 of 55 Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century by Various