modesty

mod·es·ty

noun \ˈmä-də-stē\

Definition of MODESTY

1

: freedom from conceit or vanity

2

: propriety in dress, speech, or conduct

Examples of MODESTY

1. She accepted the award with modesty.
2. He is known for his modesty, an uncommon characteristic for a politician.
3. There was no false modesty in her victory speech.
4. the modesty of her clothing

First Known Use of MODESTY

1531

Related to MODESTY

Synonyms

demureness, down-to-earthness, humbleness, lowliness, meekness, humility

Antonyms

arrogance, assumption, bumptiousness, conceit, egoism, egotism, haughtiness, hauteur, huffiness, imperiousness, loftiness, lordliness, peremptoriness, pomposity, pompousness, presumptuousness, pretense (or pretence), pretension, pretentiousness, pride, pridefulness, superciliousness, superiority, toploftiness

Related Words

acquiescence, compliance, deference, passivity, resignedness, submission, submissiveness; ingenuousness, naïveté (also naivete or naiveté); directness, plainness, simpleness; bashfulness, diffidence, mousiness, quietness, reserve, reservedness, retiringness, sheepishness, shyness, timidity, timidness

Near Antonyms

aggressiveness, assertiveness; attitude, audaciousness, boldness, brashness, brassiness, cheek, cheekiness, cockiness, cocksureness, forwardness, overconfidence, swagger, swash, temerity; impertinence, impudence, insolence, nerve, sauciness; boastfulness, chest-thumping, self-applause, self-assumption, self-centeredness, self-complacency, self-conceit, self-glorification, self-importance, self-opinion, self-partiality, self-satisfaction, vaingloriousness, vanity; condescension, disdain, scorn; flamboyance, ostentation, ostentatiousness, showiness