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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.

He said many patients had never heard of penile cancer and that even with prostate cancer - where there is more awareness - men shy away from getting help due to embarrassment.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

In the U.S., group sales were 12% lower on year over the most recent three-month period as health-conscious consumer continue to shy away from drinking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Normally, Barron’s would shy away from recommending it.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Without sacrificing the book’s dark humor, Burke doesn’t shy away from the repercussions of Natalie’s choices, and scenes with her children are the most frustrating and emotionally resonant.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

She catches me in the rearview mirror watching her, so I don’t shy away from it.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman