as in embarrassed
concerned with the way one is perceived by others
He used to feel self-conscious about his belly.
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Recent Examples of self-conscious
Bibhu Mohapatra and Alexandra O’Neill would agree, finding off-the-shoulder dresses to be the perfect compromise for women who love to show off their collarbone, but are self-conscious of their upper-arms.
—
Ari Stark, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
Like their future disciples in PC Music, Scritti Politti were giddy pop fans who approached the form as self-conscious outsiders, foregrounding its artificiality, pushing its bright colors to new extremes, aiming to make great pop records that also asked probing questions about what pop even is.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
Early on, the series establishes that Hall’s character is self-conscious about the size of her breasts and has considered getting implants.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Avoid self-conscious stumbles by picking your confidant carefully.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-conscious
Ari Stark, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
Like their future disciples in PC Music, Scritti Politti were giddy pop fans who approached the form as self-conscious outsiders, foregrounding its artificiality, pushing its bright colors to new extremes, aiming to make great pop records that also asked probing questions about what pop even is.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
Early on, the series establishes that Hall’s character is self-conscious about the size of her breasts and has considered getting implants.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Avoid self-conscious stumbles by picking your confidant carefully.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-conscious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-conscious
Adjective
-
No doubt some were downright embarrassed.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
-
After being embarrassed 3-0 by LAFC in the season opener, Inter Miami has bounced back strongly, and accepted an invitation to visit the White House, which was still scheduled to take place on Thursday.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Many travelers feel 'uneasy' about going abroad.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The United States and Israel’s widening war with Iran has stricken an already uneasy global economy with a new bout of uncertainty.—
Mirtha Donastorg,
AJC.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And second, there’s the audience’s uncomfortable tingle of recognition watching Vladimir Putin’s tightening stranglehold on the Russian press.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Fortunately, there are many people who care enough about ballet to face these uncomfortable truths, and who are working to bring ballet into the twenty-first century by challenging traditions that don’t serve dancers’ health or the long-term health of the artform.—
Chloe Angyal,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-conscious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-conscious. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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