shrinking violet

NOUN

very shy person

Synonyms

WEAK

modest violet mouse retiring person shy person shy thing

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.

"I always thought he'd be a future champion, but I've really seen him change from that shrinking violet who first stepped into my office," Warren reflects.

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2024

Penelope is a shrinking violet, but she’s also a romantic tired of being underestimated and cast as unmarriageable.

From Salon • May 17, 2024

The centenarian is remembered by his friends as a man with “impeccable diction” and gentle spirit, but he was no shrinking violet.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2024

Beal took over as the Wizards’ leader on and off the court while Wall was injured for the past two years, and Westbrook is no shrinking violet.

From Washington Post • Dec. 3, 2020

He had named her Violet after shrinking violet when she had started seeing Dr. Payne.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez