Modesty.
Synonyms:
| backwardness, | constraint, | reserve, | timidity, |
| bashfulness, | coyness, | shyness, | unobtrusiveness. |
| coldness, | diffidence, | ||
Bashfulness is a shrinking from notice without assignable reason. Coyness is a half encouragement, half avoidance of offered attention, and may be real or affected. Diffidence is self-distrust; modesty, a humble estimate of oneself in comparison with others, or with the demands of some undertaking. Modesty has also the specific meaning of a sensitive shrinking from anything indelicate. Shyness is a tendency to shrink from observation; timidity, a distinct fear of criticism, error, or failure. Reserve is the holding oneself aloof from others, or holding back one's feelings from expression, or one's affairs from communication to others. Reserve may be the retreat of shyness, or, on the other hand, the contemptuous withdrawal of pride and haughtiness. Compare ABASH; PRIDE; TACITURN.
Antonyms:
| abandon, | boldness, | forwardness, | impudence, | pertness, | sociability. |
| arrogance, | conceit, | frankness, | indiscretion, | sauciness, | |
| assumption, | confidence, | freedom, | loquaciousness, | self-conceit, | |
| assurance, | egotism, | haughtiness, | loquacity, | self-sufficiency, |