timorousness
Easily startled nature
Timorousness is the quality of being timid or fearful—a habitual shrinking from risk, confrontation, or bold action.
The word carries a slightly literary or formal tone: His timorousness kept him from speaking up in meetings.
Where timidity might describe a momentary hesitation, timorousness suggests a more settled disposition toward anxiety and caution.
Nervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- frightSudden intense fear
- cowardiceAbsence of bravery
fainthearted · pusillanimous · alarm · panic · terror · consternation · foreboding · unease
Timid self-consciousness
- diffidenceModest self-distrust
- self-consciousnessUncomfortable awareness of oneself
- demurenessModest, reserved quality
- coynessAffected reluctance or shyness
reticence · reservedness · introversion · inhibition · sheepishness · meekness · withdrawal · wallflower
Failure to decide
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- tentativenessState of being uncertain
- overcautionExcessive care, limiting action
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
vacillation · irresolution · reluctance · second-guessing · doubtfulness · faltering · dithering · unassertiveness
apprehension
Nervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- frightSudden intense fear
cowardice · fainthearted · pusillanimous · alarm · panic · terror · consternation · foreboding · unease · nervousness
bashfulness
Timid self-consciousness
- diffidenceModest self-distrust
- self-consciousnessUncomfortable awareness of oneself
- demurenessModest, reserved quality
coyness · reticence · reservedness · introversion · inhibition · sheepishness · meekness · withdrawal · wallflower · social anxiety
indecision
Failure to decide
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- tentativenessState of being uncertain
- overcautionExcessive care, limiting action
wavering · vacillation · irresolution · reluctance · second-guessing · doubtfulness · faltering · dithering · unassertiveness · passivity
- timiditybashfulness, shyness, timidness, meekness, sheepishness
timorousnessfearlessness
Complete lack of dread
courage · bravery · intrepidity · intrepidness · valor
timorousnessboldness
Fearless readiness to act
self-confidence · assertiveness · self-assurance · audacity · audaciousness
timorousnesscoolness
Calm self-possession
composure · nonchalance · insouciance · equanimity · unconcern
intimidate, timidity, intimidation, fearfulness, timorous, timorously