SKITTISHLY Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

skittishly

adverb

as in agitatedly

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Dissimilar Words

as in playfully

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of skittishly The horse, not sensing any guidance on its ribcage, begins to move skittishly in tight, concentric circles. — Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026 While skittishly edited, the film nevertheless builds up Faithfull’s biography in basic chronological order. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skittishly

Adverb

And secondly, these stories are resonating with younger audiences, a demographic Hollywood desperately wants to reach.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
As Kaepernick tried desperately to keep his protest on message, the rest of his life was picked apart, from his romantic partner to his clothing choices.

— Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of desperately

Adverb

Catatonia Sleep issues Suicidal thoughts or behaviors Pressured speech — speaking rapidly, frantically or without taking pauses to breathe or let someone else talk.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026
Immediately, speculation arose that Walter is frantically trying to raise cash to pay off all those loans from the insurance companies to his affiliate entity companies.

— Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of frantically

Adverb

By the end of our call, Michael Sheen is animatedly sharing stories of his family’s (potential) UFO sightings in south Wales.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
Threading through the film is Sienkiewicz’s own voice animatedly discussing his process and approach.

— Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of animatedly

Adverb

And when Andreeva hits one of her crazily creative shots and turns to Martínez for praise, she is met with a smile, and maybe some clapping.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 June 2026
The scene used one of the film’s funniest visual gags, an apartment so crazily tilted that nobody inside it could stand up straight.

— Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026

Definition of crazily

Adverb

In a hallway, on a sidewalk or a gentle downhill, walk briskly for 6 or more feet, then bring yourself to a complete stop over three progressively shorter steps, softening your knees, hinging slightly at your hips and dropping your center of mass.

— Dana Santas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Errors and whiffs are briskly airbrushed away by the unending march of content.

— Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of briskly

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“Skittishly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skittishly. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of skittishly

adverb

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