underconfident
Lacking in assurance
Underconfident describes someone who lacks sufficient belief in their own abilities or judgment.
The word implies a gap between actual competence and self-perception: She was underconfident about her qualifications despite years of experience.
Unlike insecure, which suggests deeper anxiety, underconfident points to a specific deficit that might be corrected.
Lacking self-assurance
- uncertainNot firmly known
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
- diffidentLacking self-assurance
unassured · doubtful · second-guessing · self-critical · vulnerable · pessimistic · low self-esteem · unsure
Reserved and retiring
- bashfulUncomfortably self-conscious
- meekHumbly unassertive
- mousyShy and unassertive
- retiringLeaving the workforce
timorous · shrinking · fainthearted · unassertive · coy · sheepish · demure · tremulous
Uncertain and provisional
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
dithering · reluctant · halting · unsure · ambivalent · equivocal · undecided · shilly-shally
Showing humble submission
- passiveNot actively participating
- compliantYielding to others' wishes
- acquiescentAccepting without resistance
- yieldingBending under pressure
docile · obedient · unassertive · pushover · doormat · people-pleasing · obsequious · servile
Turned toward inner life
- withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- quietLacking in sound
- guardedWary and restrained
unassuming · subdued · taciturn · inhibited · restrained · uncommunicative · aloof · modest
insecure
Lacking self-assurance
- uncertainNot firmly known
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
diffident · unassured · doubtful · second-guessing · self-critical · vulnerable · pessimistic · low self-esteem · unsure · apprehensive
shy
Reserved and retiring
retiring · timorous · shrinking · fainthearted · unassertive · coy · sheepish · demure · tremulous · nervous
tentative
Uncertain and provisional
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
faltering · dithering · reluctant · halting · unsure · ambivalent · equivocal · undecided · shilly-shally · irresolute
deferential
Showing humble submission
- passiveNot actively participating
- compliantYielding to others' wishes
- acquiescentAccepting without resistance
yielding · docile · obedient · unassertive · pushover · doormat · people-pleasing · obsequious · servile · milquetoast
introverted
Turned toward inner life
guarded · unassuming · subdued · taciturn · inhibited · restrained · uncommunicative · aloof · modest · self-effacing
underconfidentoverconfident
Excessively sure of oneself
cocky · arrogant · self-assured · confident · brash