diffident
adjective
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What is an antonym of diffident?
Diffident and confident are etymologically related antonyms, perched at opposite ends of a scale of self-assurance. Both words trace back to the Latin verb fīdere, which means "to trust." Diffident arose from a combination of fīdere and the prefix dis-, meaning "the absence of"; it has been used to refer to individuals lacking in self-trust since the 15th century. Confident arose from confīdere, a term created by combining fīdere with the intensifying prefix con-. That term has been used for self-trusting folks since at least the late 16th century. Fīdere puts the trust in several other English words too, including fidelity and fiduciary.
Synonyms
- backward
- bashful
- coy
- demure
- introverted
- modest
- recessive
- retiring
- self-effacing
- sheepish
- shy
- withdrawn
Example Sentences
Jacques Barzun, From Dawn to Decadence, 2000 Whatever made him diffident at the prospect of having a military strike ordered in his defense, he kept it to himself. George Stephanopoulos, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 1999 "It's Indianapolis 500," Andrew said with a polite smile, pleasing me with his diffident correction. Camille Minichino, The Lithium Murder, 1999 … a boy of 8 or 13, gazing foursquare at the camera, diffident but showing off, petulant but vulnerable … Walker Percy, New York Times Book Review, 11 Oct. 1987 She was diffident about stating her opinion. for someone who makes a living performing for other people, the actress is remarkably diffident in real life See More Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2022 But others will see a diffident official response to the attack and will want their children defended by people who know and care about them: their teachers, neighbors, families, and themselves. W. James Antle Iii, The Week, 27 May 2022 Critics marveled at the intimacy this apparently diffident figure could create. New York Times, 20 Apr. 2022 Klosterman’s appraisal of the ’90s’ legacy, while limited in some ways (there could have been more about hip-hop, for example, which Klosterman admits), is an engaging, nuanced and literate take on the alternately dynamic and diffident decade. Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2022 Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, has been a diffident figure so far. New York Times, 28 Jan. 2022 Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon trade off the lead female roles, playing the ambitious Regina and her diffident sister-in-law, Birdie. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 29 June 2017 Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon trade off the lead female roles, playing the ambitious Regina and her diffident sister-in-law, Birdie. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 29 June 2017 Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon trade off the lead female roles, playing the ambitious Regina and her diffident sister-in-law, Birdie. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 29 June 2017 See More Word History
Middle English, borrowed from Latin diffīdent-, diffīdens "distrustful, lacking in confidence," from present participle of diffīdere "to lack confidence (in), have no trust (in)," from dif-, assimilated form of dis- dis- + fīdere "to trust, have confidence (in)," going back to Indo-European *bhei̯dh- "trust, entrust" — more at faith entry 1
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Kids Definition
diffident
adjective
Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyerdiffident
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- shy
- withdrawn
- bashful
- sheepish
- introverted
- coy
- lone
- demure
- modest
- backward
- self-effacing
- retiring
- awkward
- unassertive
- embarrassed
- recessive
- reserved
- unsociable
- unsocial
- antisocial
- unadventurous
- uneasy
- unenterprising
- uptight
- self-conscious
- inhibited
- lone-wolf
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- extroverted
- outgoing
- gregarious
- immodest
- extraverted
- companionable
- sociable
- convivial
- social
- forceful
- bold
- clubbable
- boon
- dashing
- brash
- uninhibited
- unreserved
- forward
- clubable
- overbold
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of diffident are bashful, coy, modest, and shy. While all these words mean "not inclined to be forward," diffident stresses a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes hesitation in acting or speaking.
Although the words bashful and diffident have much in common, bashful implies a frightened or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence.
The meanings of coy and diffident largely overlap; however, coy implies a pretended shyness.
The synonyms modest and diffident are sometimes interchangeable, but modest suggests absence of undue confidence or conceit.
In some situations, the words shy and diffident are roughly equivalent. However, shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others.