timidity

[ ti-mid-i-tee ]

noun

1. the state or quality of lacking in self-assurance, courage, or bravery:

   The stakes are too high for the officials charged with making decisions to succumb to timidity and refuse to act.

Other Words From

• o·ver·tim·id·ness noun
• o·ver·ti·mid·i·ty noun
• un·tim·id·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of timidity¹

First recorded in 1510–20; from Latin timiditās, equivalent to timid(us) + -i- connecting vowel + -tās noun suffix; timid ( def ), -i- ( def ), -ty ²( def )

Example Sentences

“Clemency,” they argue, “is more important than ever in an era of grossly excessive punishments and mass incarceration. Timidity is not a path to legacy.”

From Slate

Like the governors who overcame such timidity and granted clemency in capital cases, President Biden, now facing the end of his time in the White House, has, as Bruenig correctly observes, “the freedom to act on his values and save dozens of lives.”

From Slate

But in Ukraine, particularly in recent months, gratitude for vital backing has been mixed with resentment over perceived timidity on Washington’s part — particularly restrictions on use of long-range weaponry to strike military targets inside Russia, and a longtime pattern of denying certain types of armaments over concerns of escalation, then providing them often too late to make a difference.

From Los Angeles Times

His timidity is inexplicable and disappointing.

From Slate

Holt became the team captain in the media’s game of feigned ignorance and real timidity.

From Salon

Related Words

• cowardice