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Dictionary.com

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.

The upcoming sequel does not shy away from these realities.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

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

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

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

As such, “Agridulce” doesn’t shy away from the political tensions of the beachside resort.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Most of us, I think, shy away from this kind of cultivation of acquaintances.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell