skittish
adjective
apt to start or shy.
skittishly
-
a word derived from
skittish.
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.
More damagingly, it doesn’t seem as if Hnath’s Nora has evolved all that much from the skittishly coquettish wife of Ibsen’s play.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2025
"It could make Pyongyang act less skittishly in crises," he said.
From BBC ● Nov. 22, 2023
Those of us who went to work in person, did so skittishly, with concern often and amidst risk.
From Salon ● Nov. 11, 2021
But I was skittishly anticipating other people’s “atavistic response to any aberrant motion,” as Michael J. Fox describes it.
From Slate ● Jul. 6, 2021
Bursting into a rippling laugh, she raised her parasol, and skittishly poked Rose in the ribs.
From The Tale of Timber Town by Grace, Alfred A. (Alfred Augustus)
