COY Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'coy' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of coy are bashful , diffident , modest , and shy . While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," coy implies a pretended shyness. // put off by her coy manner

Q: Where would 'bashful' be a reasonable alternative to 'coy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to coy , bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence. // a bashful boy out on his first date

Q: When would 'diffident' be a good substitute for 'coy'?

While the synonyms diffident and coy are close in meaning, diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking. // felt diffident about raising an objection

Q: When is it sensible to use 'modest' instead of 'coy'?

The meanings of modest and coy largely overlap; however, modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit. // modest about her success

Q: When could 'shy' be used to replace 'coy'?

In some situations, the words shy and coy are roughly equivalent. However, shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others. // shy with strangers

coy

adjective

ˈkȯi

Definition of coy

as in coquettish

affecting shyness or modesty in order to attract masculine interest not wanting him to know that she was interested in him, she acted very coy at the dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in shy

not comfortable around people a coy toddler who hides whenever anyone comes to the house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective coy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of coy are bashful, diffident, modest, and shy. While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," coy implies a pretended shyness.

put off by her coy manner

Where would bashful be a reasonable alternative to coy?

While in some cases nearly identical to coy, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.

a bashful boy out on his first date

When would diffident be a good substitute for coy?

While the synonyms diffident and coy are close in meaning, diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking.

felt diffident about raising an objection

When is it sensible to use modest instead of coy?

The meanings of modest and coy largely overlap; however, modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit.

modest about her success

When could shy be used to replace coy?

In some situations, the words shy and coy are roughly equivalent. However, shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others.

shy with strangers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of coy Coach Prime was coy in his weekly presser about his decision. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026 Harbaugh was coy about how much Nabers did at practice once the viewing period closed. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026 M’Benga’s a bit coy, telling Kirk that some believed Reeger was promoted to get him off the bridge of a ship. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026 Harry Styles made a coy reference to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Madison Square Garden nuptials while performing at the venue on Saturday night. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for coy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coy

Adjective

For the slightly more modest, there’s lace, crochet, and semisheer fabrics that play a coquettish reveal/conceal game à la the scrim in Unzipped.

— Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
The hero, or antihero, of the story is Ichabod Crane, a rather ridiculous-looking schoolmaster who has set his cap for Katrina Van Tassel, the beautiful, coquettish daughter of a wealthy Dutch farmer.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of coquettish

Adjective

The romantic Turing Test When Franky Vergara’s cousin asked him how to respond to a flirtatious Hinge message, Vergara, a 23-year-old living in San Diego, didn’t know how to help.

— Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Bruno and Drake Confront Each Other As the flirtatious energy between Karol and Bruno and Karol and Drake continues to heat up and sparks dating rumors, both men have made their interest clear.

— Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of flirtatious

Adjective

The dominant movie genres of the past decade, superhero films and horror, have usually stayed, like bashful teenagers on the dance floor, on separate sides of the multiplex.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Each loving gesture and bashful smile from his aspiring girlfriend Nikki is punctuated by dread, every minute tense and unnerving as her fixation slowly takes a dark turn.

— Mariam Bagdady, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of bashful

Browse Nearby Words

coxswains

coy

coyness

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“Coy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of coy

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