diffident
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.
In “One of Us,” Elizabeth Day’s shrewd novel of political ambition and personal retribution, the unlikely avenger is a diffident British art historian.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026
Seberg’s haircut in the original film, a super-short, blond pixie cut, rewrote fashion trends around the world and encapsulated a spirit of youthful, diffident insouciance.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2025
But the overarching tone, across the board, is oddly diffident.
From Slate • Apr. 25, 2025
Conservative leadership contender James Cleverly claims he has been "underestimated" throughout his political career because he has been too "diffident" about his achievements.
From BBC • Sep. 13, 2024
I could see she despised me, marking with all the snobbery of her class that I was no great lady, that I was humble, shy and diffident.
From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier
Vocabulary lists containing diffident
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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