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Bashfulness vs Diffidence - What's the difference?

bashfulness | diffidence | Synonyms |

Bashfulness is a synonym of diffidence.


As nouns the difference between bashfulness and diffidence

is that bashfulness is the quality or property of being bashful; shyness; reserve; timidity while diffidence is the state of being diffident, timid or shy; reticence or self-effacement.

bashfulness

English

Noun

(-)
  • The quality or property of being bashful; shyness; reserve; timidity.
    • {{quote-Fanny Hill, part=3 , I, smiling in his face, took the letter, and immediately catching gently hold of his shirt sleeve, drew him towards me, blushing, and almost trembling; for surely his extreme bashfulness , and utter inexperience, call'd for, at least, all the advances to encourage him}}

    diffidence

    English

    Noun

    (-)
  • The state of being diffident, timid or shy; reticence or self-effacement.
  • * 1857 , Brigham Young, Journal of Discources'', ''
    • I have the same diffidence in my feelings that most public speakers have, and am apt to think that others can speak better and more edifying than I can.
  • * 1897 , '' (an excerpt from ''Sotileza )
    • "I was passing by," he began to stammer, trembling with his diffidence , "I—happened to be passing along this way, and so—er—as I was passing this way, I says to myself, says I, 'I'll just stop into the shop a minute.'
  • (obsolete) Mistrust, distrust, lack of confidence in someone or something.
  • * 1591 , William Shakespeare, , act 3 scene 3
    • [Charles, King of France]: We have been guided by thee hitherto,
    And of thy cunning had no diffidence :
    One sudden foil shall never breed distrust.