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.
The timers’ skittishness suggests that their optimism is a mile wide but only an inch deep.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 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
The skittishness over the economy may lead advertisers to shift more of their dollars to there as well.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2025
For horses, herd animals alert to clues of danger from each other, skittishness is contagious.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
