SHEEPISH Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

sheepish

adjective

ˈshē-pish

Definition of sheepish

as in shy

not comfortable around people a sheepish scholar who is most comfortable when surrounded by books

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of sheepish At full time, he was pushed forward by Will Hughes and Maxence Lacroix to take in the appreciation of the supporters, looking almost sheepish at the attention. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 18 May 2026 Sugano walked off the mound with a sheepish grin. — Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026 The video feed suddenly cut out, replaced by a view inside the White Flight Control Room here at NASA's Johnson Space Center while flight controllers prepared a response that sounded a bit sheepish. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 4 Apr. 2026 The Grammy winner made his sheepish confession during an appearance on Brittany Broski's Royal Court on Wednesday. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sheepish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheepish

Adjective

More to the point, another 7% gain would boost the league’s average delivery to a hair shy of 20 million viewers per game, which is a summit that even the mighty NFL would be hard pressed to reach.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Incumbent District 6 Commissioner Mike Scott took about 49% of the vote Tuesday, falling just shy of enough votes to avoid a runoff.

— Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of shy

Adjective

And Jonathan is a continuing reminder that liberalism doesn’t have to be apologetic or bashful about itself.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Cran-raspberry juice, pink lemonade concentrate, and grenadine provide its blush and bashful hue, while passionfruit juice cocktail gives it tropical flavors.

— Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

Definition of bashful

Adjective

Unfortunately, pandemic restrictions on public gatherings meant there was no championship parade, and the title proved to be the lone triumph of James’ Lakers era.

— Law Murray, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
As described by Streisand, this isn’t a situation where five siblings could simply outvote the lone dissenter.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of lone

Browse Nearby Words

sheepherders

sheepish

sheepishly

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“Sheepish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheepish. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sheepish

adjective

Example Sentences

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