shy away

VERB

blench

Synonyms

STRONG

cringe quail quaver recoil shake shrink shudder tremble wince

WEAK

draw back shrink back

Antonyms

STRONG

calm face meet steady

VERB

hang back

Synonyms

WEAK

drop back drop behind hang fire hang off hold back hold off hover lag behind pause procrastinate shrink back stay back stick straggle trail

Antonyms

WEAK

forge ahead

VERB

hesitate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

balk dither falter pause ponder stumble waffle waver

STRONG

alternate balance dally debate defer delay demur dillydally doubt equivocate flounder fluctuate fumble hang hedge hover linger oscillate pussyfoot scruple seesaw shift shrink stammer stop straddle stutter swerve tergiversate vacillate weigh

WEAK

be irresolute be reluctant be unwilling blow hot and cold hang back hem and haw hold back hold off pull back sit on fence think about think twice

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continue persist

STRONG

advance agree do well expedite face go go along hasten hurry meet remain rush stay

WEAK

attack carry on go ahead persevere resolve

VERB

recoil

Synonyms

STRONGEST

backfire balk blanch blink cringe demur flinch hesitate reel shudder tremble turn away waver wince

STRONG

blench carom dodge duck falter jerk kick quail quake react rebound resile shake shirk shrink spring start stick stickle swerve withdraw

WEAK

draw back pull back step back

Antonyms

STRONGEST

steady

STRONG

face meet remain stay

VERB

turn

Synonyms

STRONGEST

change convert move return shift swing switch transform twist

STRONG

about-face aim alter alternate backslide capsize curve depart detour detract deviate digress direct diverge incline inverse invert loop pivot recoil redirect regress relapse retrace revert sheer shunt sidetrack subvert sway swerve swirl tack upset vary veer volte-face wheel whip around whirl zigzag

WEAK

call off change position double back face about go back rechannel

Antonyms

STRONGEST

hold keep persist remain stagnate stay

STRONG

continue develop grow lose progress straighten

WEAK

make well

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.

Welsh leader Anthony Slaughter told the BBC that he "won't shy away" from independence but believes the issue is "not front and centre of this campaign".

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

One difference between Buffett and Abel, according to those who know both men: Abel doesn’t shy away from confrontation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

He didn’t shy away from criticizing the government on democratic governance issues either.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

“I also don’t shy away from using my own financial journey, mistakes and all, as examples.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

He waited for the mare to shy away from the yellow form that moved toward them; but the horse was upwind and did not stir.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

shy away

Example Sentences

Related Words