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Diffidence: alternatives and connections

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Diffidence

The state of being diffident; distrust; want of confidence; doubt of the power, ability, or disposition of others.

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47 useful connections shown 7 reviewed relationships and 40 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Narrower term 1

Hesitancy 76% connected

The act of hesitating, or pausing to consider; slowness in deciding; vacillation; also, the manner of one who hesitates.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a narrower or more specific lexical category.

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Broader term 1

Timidity 76% connected

The quality or state of being timid; timorousness; timidness.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

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Derivationally related 2

Diffident 74% connected

Wanting confidence in others; distrustful.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Diffident 74% connected

Wanting confidence in others; distrustful.

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Synonym 1

Self-distrust 92% connected

Want of confidence in one' self; diffidence.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

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Antonym 2

Confidence 94% connected

The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in; trust; reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now commonly by in.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records these words as lexical opposites.

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Confidence 94% connected

The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in; trust; reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now commonly by in.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records these words as lexical opposites.

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Words from the same subject

These terms belong to the same specialist field or topic. They help you explore the subject, but they are not automatically synonyms.

Abandon noun · 77% connection

a feeling of extreme emotional intensity; "the wildness of his anger"

Used in the same subject area: Emotion and tone, Negative emotions.
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Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

Assurance noun · 78% connection

The state of being assured; firm persuasion; full confidence or trust; freedom from doubt; certainty.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
Definition Compare
Authority noun · 78% connection

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities; "his assurance in his superiority did not make him popular"; "after that fa…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Diffidently adverb · 78% connection

In a diffident manner.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Disability noun · 78% connection

State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability; absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral power, means, fitness,…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
Definition Compare
Dishonesty noun · 78% connection

Want of honesty, probity, or integrity in principle; want of fairness and straightforwardness; a disposition to defraud, deceive, or b…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
Definition Compare
Distrust noun · 78% connection

Doubt of sufficiency, reality, or sincerity; want of confidence, faith, or reliance; as, distrust of one's power, authority, will, pur…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Distrustful adjective · 78% connection

Not confident; diffident; wanting confidence or thrust; modest; as, distrustful of ourselves, of one's powers.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Doubt verb · 78% connection

To question or hold questionable; to withhold assent to; to hesitate to believe, or to be inclined not to believe; to withhold confide…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Doubtance noun · 78% connection

State of being in doubt; uncertainty; doubt.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Enough noun · 78% connection

A sufficiency; a quantity which satisfies desire, is adequate to the want, or is equal to the power or ability; as, he had enough to d…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Frontless adjective · 78% connection

Without face or front; shameless; not diffident; impudent.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Implicit adjective · 78% connection

Resting on another; trusting in the word or authority of another, without doubt or reserve; unquestioning; complete; as, implicit conf…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Inability noun · 78% connection

The quality or state of being unable; lack of ability; want of sufficient power, strength, resources, or capacity.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Inefficiency noun · 78% connection

The quality of being inefficient; want of power or energy sufficient; want of power or energy sufficient for the desired effect; ineff…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Irresolution noun · 78% connection

Want of resolution; want of decision in purpose; a fluctuation of mind, as in doubt, or between hope and fear; irresoluteness; indecis…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Misfaith noun · 78% connection

Want of faith; distrust.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Misgive verb · 78% connection

Specifically: To give doubt and apprehension to, instead of confidence and courage; to impart fear to; to make irresolute; -- usually…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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Misgiving noun · 78% connection

Evil premonition; doubt; distrust.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: diffident, distrust, want, confidence, doubt.
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