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

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