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Synonyms for diffidence

Grammar : Noun
Spell : dif-i-duh ns
Phonetic Transcription : ˈdɪf ɪ dəns

Top 10 synonyms for diffidence
Other synonyms for the word diffidence

Définition of diffidence

Origin :
  • c.1400, from Latin diffidentia "mistrust, distrust, want of confidence," from diffidere "to mistrust, lack confidence," from dis- "away" (see dis-) + fidere "to trust" (see faith). Modern sense is of "distrusting oneself" (1650s). The original sense was the opposite of confidence.
  • noun hesitancy; lack of confidence
Example sentences :
  • The youth sat down as directed, but reluctantly and with diffidence.
  • Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • At this point Wanhope hesitated with a kind of diffidence that was rather charming in him.
  • Extract from : « Questionable Shapes » by William Dean Howells
  • Mr. Cruncher, with some diffidence, explained himself as meaning "Old Nick's."
  • Extract from : « A Tale of Two Cities » by Charles Dickens
  • His manner betrayed a curious mixture of diffidence and assurance.
  • Extract from : « The Avenger » by E. Phillips Oppenheim
  • The diffidence of his tone proved startling to her by virtue of its unusualness.
  • Extract from : « Mistress Wilding » by Rafael Sabatini
  • My friends are in the habit of amusing themselves with my diffidence and my timidity.
  • Extract from : « Tony Butler » by Charles James Lever
  • With regard to all your diffidence of yourself, we laugh at it.
  • Extract from : « Memoirs of the Courts and Cabinets of George the Third » by The Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
  • Lowly self-estimation is by no means a constant accompaniment of diffidence.
  • Extract from : « Ernest Linwood » by Caroline Lee Hentz
  • But John's priestly tutors had schooled him in diffidence, if in nothing else.
  • Extract from : « Fort Amity » by Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
  • When she spoke, it was with a touch of diffidence and hesitation in her voice.
  • Extract from : « The New Girl at St. Chad's » by Angela Brazil

Antonyms for diffidence

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019