shy from

VERB

back out

Synonyms

STRONGEST

back down cancel give up renege surrender

WEAK

avoid back pedal beg off blow it off chicken out cop out get cold feet go back on recant resign scratch throw in the towel weasel out wiggle out worm out

VERB

chicken out

Synonyms

WEAK

avoid back down back out back pedal beg off blow it off bow out cancel cop out funk out get cold feet give up give way go back on have no stomach for make concessions pull out recant renege resign scratch surrender throw in the towel turn yellow weasel out wiggle out wimp out withdraw worm out yield

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.

Mary had many shortcomings, which the author doesn’t shy from examining.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both closed a hair shy from Friday’s close, just 0.3% and 0.1% lower, respectively.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

He seems to delight in wordplay and stoking his readers’ interest in the subject matter, yet doesn’t shy from the brutality of roadkill and environmental devastation.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2023

It didn’t shy from wearing its heart on its sleeve, and pointing it out with the other hand.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2023

Part of a meadow is flooded; a herd of horses become shy from the snorting of the steamer's engine; they dash through the water in the meadow, and it spurts up all over them.

From Pictures of Sweden by Andersen, H. C. (Hans Christian)

shy from

Example Sentences

Related Words