self-deprecatory
adjective
self-dep·re·ca·to·ry
ˌself-ˈde-pri-kə-ˌtȯr-ē 
-ˈde-prə-ˌkā-tə-rē
: expressing disparagement or undervaluation of oneself : self-deprecating
… an intense yet sensitive athlete with a nice touch of self-deprecatory humor.—
Sandy Treadwell
Sandy TreadwellBut then, in a funny, charming, self-deprecatory way he'd start telling rambling, digressive, but observant and intelligent stories that would bare his soul and crack you up …—Ron Rosenbaum
Ron RosenbaumExamples of self-deprecatory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Though it’s been less than two weeks since Conan O’Brien made his Oscars hosting debut, the famously self-deprecatory comedian is already discussing how things could’ve gone differently.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Mar. 2025
But here, Astrov, given great self-deprecatory wit by William Jackson Harper, is more dimensional than usual, including, for once, an interest in trees that’s as painfully visceral as his interest in Elena.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
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Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Mar. 2025
But here, Astrov, given great self-deprecatory wit by William Jackson Harper, is more dimensional than usual, including, for once, an interest in trees that’s as painfully visceral as his interest in Elena.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Self-deprecatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-deprecatory. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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