shrinkingly
In retreating fashion
In a manner that draws back or recoils, typically from fear, timidity, or reluctance.
The word suggests visible hesitation or withdrawal: She shrinkingly approached the podium, He shrinkingly admitted his mistake.
Literary and uncommon in contemporary speech.
In a shy manner
- meeklyIn docile manner
- sheepishlyIn a self-conscious way
- timorouslyIn a fearful manner
- fearfullyIn a scared way
nervously · apprehensively · faintheartedly · pusillanimously · tremulously · skittishly · mousy · cravenly
In a reserved manner
- unassuminglyWithout airs or pretension
- self-effacinglyIn unassuming fashion
- humblyWithout pride or arrogance
- unpretentiouslyWithout false importance
unobtrusively · quietly · reservedly · retiringly · inconspicuously · self-deprecatingly · understated · plainly
With obvious unwillingness
- tentativelyWithout full commitment
- uncertainlyIn a doubtful way
- waveringlyIn an unsteady manner
- haltinglyIn an unsteady manner
falteringly · doubtfully · indecisively · ambivalently · unsurely · hesitatingly · gingerly · cautiously
bashfully
In a shy manner
- meeklyIn docile manner
- sheepishlyIn a self-conscious way
- timorouslyIn a fearful manner
fearfully · nervously · apprehensively · faintheartedly · pusillanimously · tremulously · skittishly · mousy · cravenly · spineless
demurely
In a reserved manner
- unassuminglyWithout airs or pretension
- self-effacinglyIn unassuming fashion
- humblyWithout pride or arrogance
unpretentiously · unobtrusively · quietly · reservedly · retiringly · inconspicuously · self-deprecatingly · understated · plainly · simply
reluctantly
With obvious unwillingness
- tentativelyWithout full commitment
- uncertainlyIn a doubtful way
- waveringlyIn an unsteady manner
haltingly · falteringly · doubtfully · indecisively · ambivalently · unsurely · hesitatingly · gingerly · cautiously · warily
shrinkinglyboldly
With fearless confidence
confidently · assertively · fearlessly · audaciously · courageously
shrinkinglyexpansively
In a wide-ranging way
outwardly · openly · unreservedly · forwardly
shrinkinglyconspicuously
In an attention-grabbing manner
prominently · obtrusively · flamboyantly · ostentatiously · showily
- shrinking violetExtremely timid person
- shrinking awayWithdrawing out of fear
- shrinking world
- shrinking backWithdrawing from perceived threat
- shrinking transistors
- head shrinkingReducing skulls ceremonially