1
as in excitable
easily excited by nature
the skittish colt leapt up when we approached
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in timid
easily frightened
the cat is skittish around people she doesn't know
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a skittish housing market had both buyers and sellers on edge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skittish
And individual senators—even Trump himself—may well get more skittish as the midterms approach if the recent in Trump's popular support continue.
—
Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
When the studio got skittish about its $200 million budget, Verbinski split and the project sank.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Setting Dani’s debut in motion: When an undercover FBI agent was killed in the field, Jubal’s team made the unnerving discovery that the identities of multiple UCs have been compromised — including Maggie, who had just infiltrated an increasingly skittish eco-terrorist group.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 2 Apr. 2025
Forest elephants are critically endangered, and decades of poaching has left them skittish—sometimes dangerously so.
—Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skittish
Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
When the studio got skittish about its $200 million budget, Verbinski split and the project sank.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Setting Dani’s debut in motion: When an undercover FBI agent was killed in the field, Jubal’s team made the unnerving discovery that the identities of multiple UCs have been compromised — including Maggie, who had just infiltrated an increasingly skittish eco-terrorist group.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 2 Apr. 2025
Forest elephants are critically endangered, and decades of poaching has left them skittish—sometimes dangerously so.
—Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skittish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skittish
Adjective
-
The most reliably entertaining are the dryly sardonic Yelena Belova (Pugh) and the excitable, histrionic Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (a showily outsized Harbour).—
Manohla Dargis,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
-
Specifically, her plans to reform the taxation of capital gains have alarmed more than a few wealthy (and excitable) taxpayers.—
Joseph Thorndike,
Forbes,
4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The Makos athletes also noticed that their parents were timid around water.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 May 2025
-
Haney looked timid and afraid for the first four rounds before finding his legs and winning a unanimous decision in a lackluster fight with Jose Ramirez.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Adjective
-
Some of the problems are caused by a volatile economic landscape.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
-
Indian authorities have evacuated tens of thousands of civilians from villages near the volatile frontier.—
Rajesh Roy,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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The Trump administration became increasingly nervous at the prospect of a major war erupting in one of the most populous places on the planet.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2025
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A little nervous at first, Harry does well calling the boat in.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Burnsville officers went to Warren’s home around 9:30 a.m. after her sister called 911, explaining that Warren had called her during a fearful moment, deputies said.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2025
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Without psychological safety, however, discomfort, conflict and ruthless competition can lead to a fearful workforce.—
Sanjeev Menon,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Outlaw Music Festival touched down Thursday night on the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, California, and Bob Dylan once again delivered a wildly unpredictable set that stunned even his most hardcore fans.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
16 May 2025
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Markets are unpredictable, and a company's success doesn't ensure future returns.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skittish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skittish. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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