shyer
Less apt mingling
Shyer is the comparative form of shy, describing someone or something more timid, reserved, or reluctant than another.
She's shyer than her outgoing sister.
The spelling shyer is standard, though some writers use shier.
The word applies to people who avoid social interaction, animals that flee from contact, or figurative uses like being shy of a goal: He was two votes shyer of winning than the frontrunner.
Lacking courage or confidence
- bashfulUncomfortably self-conscious
- coyAffectedly modest
- demureModestly reserved in manner
- diffidentLacking self-assurance
meek · mousy · retiring · sheepish · blushing · self-conscious · unassertive · withdrawn
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- taciturnHabitually uncommunicative
- guardedWary and restrained
- uncommunicativeUnwilling to share thoughts
undemonstrative · withdrawn · private · standoffish · distant · cool · laconic · discreet
Showing nervous apprehension
- fearfulFull of fright
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- faintheartedCowardly, easily discouraged
- skittishProne to nervous fright
tremulous · nervous · jittery · cowardly · craven · wary · quaking · cowering
Existing alone, apart
- reclusiveSeeking isolation from others
- introspectiveExamining one's own mind
- contemplativeInclined to deep thought
- reflectiveCasting back light
inner-directed · self-contained · quiet · private · inward-looking · self-sufficient · hermitic · unsociable
Unwilling to act
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- cautiousCareful to avoid risk
- hesitantSlow to act
- uncertainNot firmly known
indecisive · vacillating · ambivalent · disinclined · averse · loath · dubious · leery
timid
Lacking courage or confidence
diffident · meek · mousy · retiring · sheepish · blushing · self-conscious · unassertive · withdrawn · modest
aloof
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
uncommunicative · undemonstrative · withdrawn · private · standoffish · distant · cool · laconic · discreet · secretive
timorous
Showing nervous apprehension
- fearfulFull of fright
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- faintheartedCowardly, easily discouraged
skittish · tremulous · nervous · jittery · cowardly · craven · wary · quaking · cowering · spooked
solitary
Existing alone, apart
- reclusiveSeeking isolation from others
- introspectiveExamining one's own mind
- contemplativeInclined to deep thought
reflective · inner-directed · self-contained · quiet · private · inward-looking · self-sufficient · hermitic · unsociable · loner
reluctant
Unwilling to act
uncertain · indecisive · vacillating · ambivalent · disinclined · averse · loath · dubious · leery · circumspect
- shy awayWithdraw from reluctantly
- few cards shy of a full deckLacking full mental capacity
- shy away fromAvoid through timidity
- gun shyFearful from bad experience
- one card shy of a full deckLacking full intelligence
- shy smileReserved, bashful expression