How to Use self-deprecation in a Sentence

self-deprecation

noun
  • The self-deprecation added to the chorus lamenting his skid at the plate.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • His style of self-deprecation was universal.
    — Austin Mullen, NBC news, 15 June 2026
  • Hawke arrived daily with ideas, often prefaced with self-deprecation.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Usually, even after poor results, there has been a smile, a joke or an attempt at disarming self-deprecation.
    — Mark Critchley, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Ibis have done a nice line in self-deprecation since the 1980s, but things have really ramped up in the social-media age.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
  • That book should be read by anyone who wants his or her own life to be more Buffettesque, as measured by money or patience or self-deprecation or decency.
    — Gary Sernovitz, Bloomberg, 29 May 2026
  • And because Bargatze is usually the butt of his own jokes, his mix of aw-shucks relatability and self-deprecation goes down nice and easy.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
  • Some may read this intro and roll their eyes, arguing that Lawrence’s patented self-deprecation and casual dorkiness are a big act.
    — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Yet what makes Crumb unique in this world of crypto-porno is his own ferocious self-deprecation in the shadows of these Amazonian figures.
    — David Zane Mairowitz, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2025
  • The public initially adored Lawrence due to her candid interviews, which stemmed from her self-deprecation, allowing fans to connect with her.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The self-deprecation, the reflexive deflection of attention, defines Plemons as much as his talent.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The approach may affect his short-term playing availability and long-term real-life mobility, but Wentz’s self-deprecation on the subject is a snapshot of what has evolved.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • As a whole, Kennedy’s doc, which is seeking distribution, is a raw behind-the-scenes look at a polarizing public figure who often hides behind wrath or self-deprecation.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
  • As if to preëmpt her detractors, Burnett often resorted to brutal self-deprecation, describing herself in interviews as scrawny or bucktoothed.
    — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Ellison even worked in some self-deprecation, referencing his 2006 big screen acting debut (and shouting out our publication).
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Coming from an actor who has convincingly played everyone from a serial killer to the Dark Knight, the self-deprecation lands differently and his willingness to poke fun at himself stands out.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Its approach to comedy is ripped straight from the world of musical cast parties and improv shows, with every performer doing their best to turn every line into a GIF-able burst of wholesome self-deprecation.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Making guardedness and affable self-deprecation part of her identity, Keaton was known for wearing turtlenecks, gloves, and hats that kept her largely covered up, saving emotional vulnerability for her performances.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-deprecation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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