Synonyms of modesty

modesty

noun

ˈmä-də-stē 

1

as in meekness

the absence of any feelings of being better than others

his natural modesty makes him reluctant to run for public office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• meekness
• humility
• humbleness
• demureness
• lowliness
• quietness
• directness
• down-to-earthness
• submissiveness
• deference
• passivity
• compliance
• naïveté
• acquiescence
• timidity
• ingenuousness
• submission
• bashfulness
• plainness
• diffidence
• timidness
• sheepishness
• reserve
• reservedness
• shyness
• simpleness
• resignedness
• mousiness
• retiringness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• arrogance
• pride
• haughtiness
• assumption
• superiority
• egoism
• loftiness
• pretense
• imperiousness
• egotism
• conceit
• superciliousness
• attitude
• presumptuousness
• pomposity
• hauteur
• pretension
• pretentiousness
• assertiveness
• boldness
• pompousness
• pridefulness
• peremptoriness
• aggressiveness
• lordliness
• bumptiousness
• forwardness
• huffiness
• brashness
• overconfidence
• cheekiness
• swagger
• audaciousness
• impudence
• cockiness
• temerity
• cheek
• toploftiness
• cocksureness
• insolence
• vanity
• sauciness
• nerve
• impertinence
• boastfulness
• brassiness
• disdain
• swash
• self-satisfaction
• self-importance
• self-conceit
• condescension
• self-complacency
• self-opinion
• self-glorification
• scorn
• ostentation
• self-centeredness
• flamboyance
• vaingloriousness
• chest-thumping
• showiness
• ostentatiousness
• self-applause
• self-assumption
• self-partiality

2

as in purity

the quality or state of being morally pure

in this day and age, that's very becoming modesty in a teenager

Synonyms & Similar Words

• purity
• innocence
• virtue
• goodness
• chastity
• morality
• chasteness
• immaculacy
• righteousness
• decorum
• decency
• virtuousness
• rectitude
• probity
• propriety
• seemliness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impurity
• unchastity
• evil
• immodesty
• wickedness
• sinfulness
• badness
• unrighteousness
• vulgarity
• unchasteness
• indecency
• impropriety

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of modesty

Iran’s legal system is based on one interpretation of what Islam teaches about gender roles and modesty for women, and is used to control women, said Iqbal Akhtar, professor of politics and international relations and religious studies at Florida International University. —Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026

Mike Kelly, a former Vikings executive turned technology CEO who remains a season ticket holder, long felt this modesty was what separated Brzezinski from other front-office types. —Alec Lewis, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Part of her appeal is that, even though her voice is commanding, there’s nothing particularly imperious about her personality, which borders on something like modesty. —Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026

His quiet tone is not shyness or false modesty but circumspection and a sense of boundaries that imply respect and love for real communication. —Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026