self-effacing

adjective

ˌself-i-ˈfā-siŋ How to pronounce self-effacing (audio)
Definition of self-effacingnext
as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people he's dating a sweet, self-effacing girl

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 self-effacing Modesty Shines Through Each Episode Their self-effacing banter between one another throughout each podcast is a very pleasant alternative to the loud, boastful discourse often heard from other sports podcasts. — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 22 Feb. 2026 Call it another twist in the story of an accidental heartthrob turned self-effacing star — or simply the irony of teller and tale — but despite his discomfort with visibility, Arlaud has become one of the most outspoken left-wing voices in contemporary French cinema. — Ben Croll, IndieWire, 12 May 2026 For instance, many people praised former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s empathetic, self-effacing leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an openness and deference to experts. — Barret Michalec, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026 The team of Bob Mortimer, Aisling Bea, and Sally Phillips sang a song that playfully mocked Rosalind, but the team of Nish Kumar and Mark Watson—whose performances had been hilariously scattershot that season—delivered a sweet, self-effacing, and humorous song that took everyone by surprise. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-effacing
  1. withdrawn
  2. shy
  3. bashful
Adjective
  • Without daily contact with peers, some children become more withdrawn, lonely or emotionally flat.
    — John Samuels, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026
  • Blatter also suggested that Infantino, like a lot of dictators, has started acting withdrawn.
    — Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
Definition of withdrawn
Adjective
  • Willis, who was one of the group's founders in the 1970s, died one day shy of his 75th birthday.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • His six goals tied Argentina forward Lionel Messi for the tournament lead and gave him 18 in his World Cup career, one shy of Messi's record.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of shy
Adjective
  • Over the course of a few days, this bashful teen, always armed with her camcorder and far less free-spirited than her cousins, will be beset by her father’s feuding family.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Overall and head-to-head goal differential are tiebreakers for group placement, and the Norwegians won’t be bashful about scoring as many times as possible.
    — Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 15 June 2026
Definition of bashful

Browse Nearby Words

self-educated
self-effacing
self-employed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-effacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-effacing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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