MEANING
To avoid or draw back from something because of apprehension, reluctance, or dislike.
Use it for
Words that belong together
- shy away from conflict
- shy away from risk
- not shy away
On the page
He shied away from naming the men who had followed him.
She did not shy away from the rescue once the risks were explained.
The committee shies away from decisions that might provoke retaliation.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- shy away
- Past tense
- shied away
- Past participle
- shied away
- Present participle
- shying away
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- shy away
- Present continuous
- am/is/are shying away
- Present perfect
- have/has shied away
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been shying away
- Past
- shied away
- Past continuous
- was/were shying away
- Past perfect
- had shied away
- Past perfect continuous
- had been shying away
- Future
- will shy away
- Future continuous
- will be shying away
- Future perfect
- will have shied away
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been shying away
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
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Usage notes
Primary category: fear. Usually shy away from; not necessarily cowardly or socially shy. Can describe gradual avoidance rather than a last-minute refusal. Verb forms (base, third-person singular, past, past participle, -ing): shy away, shies away, shied away, shied away, shying away.
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