self-effacing
adjective
self-ef·fac·ing
ˌself-i-ˈfā-siŋ 
-e-
: having or showing a tendency to make oneself modestly or shyly inconspicuous
His passions and faith run soul-deep, his gentle wit is always self-effacing and never insulting …—
Don Gaetz
Don Gaetz… she was an extremely self-effacing, private person who never sought the limelight and did not leave the usual artifacts that enable a biographer to reconstruct life patterns.—Douglas R. McManis
Douglas R. McManisExamples of self-effacing in a Sentence
he's dating a sweet, self-effacing girl
Recent Examples on the Web
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
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 self-effacing Kress downplayed the moment.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Thomas is atypical in another regard as the floor leader, given his naturally quiet, self-effacing manner.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 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 self-effacing Kress downplayed the moment.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Thomas is atypical in another regard as the floor leader, given his naturally quiet, self-effacing manner.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Cite this Entry
“Self-effacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-effacing. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
