Tuesday word: Diffident

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Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024

Diffident (adjective)
dif·fi·dent [dif-i-duhnt]

adjective
1. lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy.
2. restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.
3. Archaic. distrustful.

OTHER WORDS FROM DIFFIDENT
dif·fi·dent·ly, adverb
dif·fi·dent·ness, noun
non·dif·fi·dent, adjective
un·dif·fi·dent, adjective

WORDS RELATED TO DIFFIDENT
bashful, demure, meek, self-conscious, self-effacing, sheepish, timid, unassuming, shy, unsure, backward, blenching, chary, constrained, coy, distrustful, doubtful, dubious, flinching, humble

See synonyms for: diffident / diffidently on Thesaurus.com
SYNONYM STUDY FOR DIFFIDENT
1. See shy

OTHER WORDS FOR DIFFIDENT
1. self-conscious, abashed, unconfident, self-effacing, embarrassed; modest, unassuming

ORIGIN: First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin diffident- (stem of diffidens “mistrusting, despairing,” present participle of diffidere), equivalent to dif-dif- + fid- “trust” + -ent--ent

HOW TO USE DIFFIDENT IN A SENTENCE
He was charming, diffident but above all very friendly, with no airs or graces.
HOW JOHN LENNON REDISCOVERED HIS MUSIC IN BERMUDA | THE TELEGRAPH | NOVEMBER 3, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

Every study ever performed has shown that the fit and lean outlive the dumpy and diffident every time.
COOL IT ON THE CROSSFIT: WHAT’S RHABDOMYOLYSIS? | KENT SEPKOWITZ | OCTOBER 11, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

“I have a bit of a reputation as a grim reaper,” she says, with her typically diffident smile.
TACITA DEAN’S ‘FIVE AMERICANS’ CAPTURES A QUIET BRILLIANCE | BLAKE GOPNIK | MAY 7, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

Obama seemed equally diffident in his East Room news conference last week.
THE DECIDER VS. THE AGONIZER | HOWARD KURTZ | NOVEMBER 9, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST

And, on a global level, the usually diffident IMF is proposing that banks be subject to special punitive taxes.
WALL STREET WILL REFORM WASHINGTON | JEFFREY E. GARTEN | APRIL 24, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST