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 puppy-dog charisma that earned him unthreatening-heartthrob status at 23 has seasoned into a self-effacing, paternal affability.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
The daughter of film stars George O’Brien and Marguerite Churchill, Orin shows a contagious enthusiasm for her craft, wedded to a surprisingly self-effacing attitude (especially for someone held up and cut down as a leading woman in her field).
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025
Although self-effacing and unfashionable, Hackman held special status within Hollywood — heir to Spencer Tracy as an everyman, actor’s actor, curmudgeon and reluctant celebrity.
—Hillel Italie, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Friends and former colleagues say that General Caine, an intensely focused but low-key, self-effacing officer, has been uncomfortable with Mr. Trump’s characterization of his role in defeating the Islamic State.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
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Adam B. Vary, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
The daughter of film stars George O’Brien and Marguerite Churchill, Orin shows a contagious enthusiasm for her craft, wedded to a surprisingly self-effacing attitude (especially for someone held up and cut down as a leading woman in her field).
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025
Although self-effacing and unfashionable, Hackman held special status within Hollywood — heir to Spencer Tracy as an everyman, actor’s actor, curmudgeon and reluctant celebrity.
—Hillel Italie, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Friends and former colleagues say that General Caine, an intensely focused but low-key, self-effacing officer, has been uncomfortable with Mr. Trump’s characterization of his role in defeating the Islamic State.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
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 21 May. 2025.
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