shrinking violet

noun

Synonyms of shrinking violetnext
: a bashful or retiring person

Synonyms of shrinking violet

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Examples of shrinking violet in a Sentence

He's no shrinking violet when it comes to competition. a reality show that wants shameless exhibitionists, not shrinking violets
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What these examples suggest is that Secretary General of the NATO is no shrinking violet. — Mark Webber, Time, 24 July 2026 No shrinking violet During her brief tenure on the court, Jackson has shown herself to be no shrinking violet. — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 9 July 2026 Sumrall was no shrinking violet during his first appearance at the annual gathering of conference power brokers. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026 This is not a collection for the shrinking violets among us. — Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrinking violet

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shrinking violet was in 1915

Rhymes for shrinking violet

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Browse Nearby Words

shrinkingly
shrinking violet
shrink link
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Cite this Entry

“Shrinking violet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrinking%20violet. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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