diffidently

Examples of diffident

diffident
Even those who would have liked fewer children were too diffident to discuss birth control with their husbands.
Merciless to small absurdities, he was often oblique and diffident on the big issues.
No one in positions of authority uses the diffident declarative.
Table 2), but feel less diffident about asking for lifts from family members, seeking out community transport or even using taxis, despite the expense.
On the other hand, he is diffident towards attempts to minimise the death toll involved (p. 175) or to play down political responsibilities.
Some of the members were in favour of retention, arguing that religion could have beneficial effects on young soldiers, and that compulsion assisted those who were diffident about their faith.
Their men meanwhile have their eyes roving slightly diverted, inward looking concentrating on what is happening, or, exchanging glances as if slightly diffident to the whole process.
This has a diffident and whimsical character, portrayed on a larger scale too by the music's inability actually to get anywhere (it keeps on returning to its opening gesture).
He appears, by turn, charming and paranoiac, generous and ambitious, diffident and scheming, humorous and disappointed (one is tempted to say, rather like the rest of us).
One almost feels diffident about creeping into one's tailor's establishment to get a patch put on a favourite garment.
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