shies
Recoils from fear
Shies is the third-person singular of shy, meaning to flinch or draw back suddenly: The horse shies at loud noises.
It also serves as a plural noun for throws or tosses, particularly in fairground games: three shies for a dollar at the coconut stand.
Both uses are relatively uncommon in everyday speech.
Involuntary recoil movements
- shrinksDecreases in size
- cringesRecoils from fear or embarrassment
- withdrawsPulls out or removes
- retreatsBacks off or sanctuaries
balks · retracts · winces · avoids · dodges · evades · shuns · swerves
Uncomfortably self-conscious
- meekHumbly unassertive
- mousyShy and unassertive
- reservedRestrained in manner
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
introverted · submissive · unassertive · diffident · sheepish · retiring · unconfident · insecure
flinches
Involuntary recoil movements
retreats · balks · retracts · winces · avoids · dodges · evades · shuns · swerves · veers
bashful
Uncomfortably self-conscious
self-conscious · introverted · submissive · unassertive · diffident · sheepish · retiring · unconfident · insecure · demure
jumpy
Nervously reactive to stimuli
bolts · fidgety · twitchy · edgy · restless · uneasy · apprehensive · wary · flighty · high-strung
tosses
Throws with ease
pitches · chucks · casts · slings · heaves · fairground · target · aims · launches · propels
- shied awayWithdrew from apprehensively
- shies awayWithdraws with reluctance
- shied away fromAvoided through timidity
- shies away fromDeliberately evades or retreats