Timorous
hardTIM-er-us
adjective
Definition
fearful, timid, or lacking in confidence
Examples
“A timorous knock at the door suggested the visitor would rather not be there.”
“Once a timorous student, she grew into a confident public speaker.”
Categories
GRE Tip
Timorous is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "timid" or "fearful" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "bold".
Related GRE Words
diffident
Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence
reserved
Slow to reveal emotion or opinions; reticent
sanguine
Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation
saturnine
gloomy, sullen, or grimly serious in temperament
craven
contemptibly cowardly; lacking courage
stoic
showing endurance of hardship without complaint or visible emotion
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