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Synonyms

shy away from

Idioms  
  1. Avoid, evade, as in He shied away from all questions concerning his private life. [Late 1700s]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Anne Gust Brown, wife of Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown, tended to shy away from the public, preferring to work behind the scenes as an unpaid aide.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026

Harris’ address at the site of the Declaration’s signing does not shy away from America’s contradictions.

From Salon • Jul. 4, 2026

Once merely a punchline, nonalcoholic beer, wine and cocktails have grown more popular in recent years, as consumers shy away from alcohol and seek out healthier ways of living.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 3, 2026

“The biggest thing that came out of this was earning even more trust from our customers because we didn’t shy away from it.”

From Barron's • Jun. 19, 2026

She catches me in the rearview mirror watching her, so I don’t shy away from it.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

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