skittish
adjective
apt to start or shy.
skittishness
-
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.
Issuance of new software leveraged loans tumbled in 2026, signaling a skittishness about bank lending in the sector, but also creating less supply for investors to digest.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026
Their rise followed a volatile week of trading fueled by skittishness about the AI boom.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026
But like the rest of the economy, the sector was not spared the knock-on effects of the war, which began in October 2023 and led to staffing shortages and skittishness from would-be backers.
From Barron's ● Feb. 21, 2026
Such skittishness pervades every step of the off-site development process, said Apoorva Pasricha, chief operation officer at Cloud Apartments, a San Francisco-based start-up.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 14, 2026
For horses, herd animals alert to clues of danger from each other, skittishness is contagious.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
