sheepishly

[ shee-pish-lee ]

adverb

1. in an embarrassed or bashful fashion:

   She sheepishly glanced around, hoping no one had noticed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheepishly¹

sheepish ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Cruz was forced to sheepishly return to the “greatest country in the world,” as he reflexively described it when trying to spin his short vacation to reporters.

From Washington Post

In her speech on Thursday, she sheepishly reeled back her embrace of inaccuracy to the one that the party itself broadly accepts.

From Washington Post

So we decided to speak to several of them, some of whom sheepishly admitted their good fortune in a time of widespread loss, managing to keep their jobs and stay together with their partners.

From Vox

When asked what he’d done since getting the feedback about reducing uncertainty, “I accidentally added more,” he said, a bit sheepishly.

From Quanta Magazine

But, sheepishly, we were hoping it would occur when they were a little older and, perhaps, wiser — and, quite frankly, not living at home.

From Washington Post

“You are welcome to talk with the students—but off campus,” he smiles sheepishly.

From The Daily Beast

They included Lupoi, who looked sheepishly glum as he nodded to a woman who is apparently his wife amongst the spectators.

From The Daily Beast

Prosecutor Richard Mantei rolled his eyes and grinned sheepishly.

From The Daily Beast

One afternoon he noticed me sheepishly looking at the screen.

From The Daily Beast

Avoid if possible; the phrase “[x] was caught lying and sheepishly acknowledged it” is preferable.

From The Daily Beast

Now and then there was a cheer, and some young fellow sheepishly offered himself.

From Project Gutenberg

They sat either scowling or grinning sheepishly while the new witnesses were being awaited.

From Project Gutenberg

Hal's eyes roved from face to face, his men grinning back sheepishly at him.

From Project Gutenberg

He stared about him sheepishly, bewildered and abashed, and unspeakably aggrieved.

From Project Gutenberg

The boys came rather sheepishly to see him off; but he would make no show of relenting.

From Project Gutenberg