Thesaurus: diffidence

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1. n. The state of being diffident; distrust; want of confidence; doubt of the power, ability, or disposition of others.
2. n. Distrust of one's self or one's own powers; lack of self-reliance">self-reliance; modesty; modest reserve; bashfulness.
3. n. lack of self-confidence
4. 1. The state of being diffident; distrust; want of confidence; doubt of the power, ability, or disposition of others. [Archaic] That affliction grew heavy upon me, and weighed me down even to a diffidence of God's mercy. Donne. 2. Distrust of one's self or one's own powers; lack of self-reliance; modesty; modest reserve; bashfulness. It is good to speak on such questions with diffidence. Macaulay. An Englishman's habitual diffidence and awkwardness of adress. W. Irving. Syn. -- Humility; bashfulness; distrust; suspicion; doubt; fear; timidity; apprehension; hesitation. See Humility, and Bashfulness.
5. n:100 n. lack of self-confidence