What does it mean "timid"? Antonym to this word - "decisive" or "self-confident"? Can this word be replaced by any adjective?
Value
Indecisive, fearful, modest, shy - all these are synonyms for the word "timid". Antonyms are harder to pick. You can, of course, say that the opposite in meaning to this adjective is decisive, courageous, immodest, etc. But this will not be entirely true. After all, the concept of "timid", the antonym in which we are trying to pick up, does not have pronounced either negative or positive shades.
Indecisive
It is this adjective that is most suitable as a synonym for the word "timid". Antonym in this case - decisive. Here are some examples with the opposite meaning :
- He entered the chief's office and, looking down, timidly reminded of the promised vacation.
- He entered the chief’s office and, looking him straight in the eye, resolutely declared his desire to go on vacation.
In the first example, the word "timid" has no negative connotation. Antonym to him, perhaps, will be arrogant, self-confident. However, the person in question in the second sentence does not cause negative emotions. They say "not a timid dozen" about people like him.
A timid man is one who is unable to demand what is due to him. Sometimes, depending on the context, the adjective, the meaning of which we are now considering, can be replaced by the word "intelligent". And the antithesis in this case will be the word "unintelligent", that is, shy, unceremonious, impudent.
Oddly enough, "timid", as well as the words with the same root ("timidity", "timid"), today contain less negative things than a hundred or two hundred years ago. This adjective is found in the works of Russian classics, for example, the comedy "Woe from Wit." What did Griboedov mean by this word?
Molchalin
The main character of the comedy is a determined, intelligent young man. His antipode is Molchalin. Sophia is in love with this seemingly modest man, calling him "insinuating, timid." But as you know, behind Molchalin's modesty hides careerism, prudence. Thus, according to Griboedov, a synonym for the word "timid" is cunning, cautious. Antonym - direct, open.