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
Marcus Phillips spearheads a spot-on quintet of classmates, each bursting with self-conscious awkwardness and a desire to be seen and understood.
—
Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
The film's intimate sense of joy is not a deflection against the truth of what the Johnsons are facing, but a self-conscious, honest expression of it.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Just a bit self-conscious, and sometimes the hair flicking and all that.
—Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for self-conscious
Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
The film's intimate sense of joy is not a deflection against the truth of what the Johnsons are facing, but a self-conscious, honest expression of it.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Just a bit self-conscious, and sometimes the hair flicking and all that.
—Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for self-conscious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-conscious
Adjective
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For anyone who feels embarrassed—everyone starts somewhere.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
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Also featuring Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer and Andy Serkis, the movie centered on teenage Jenna Rink, who gets embarrassed at a party and makes a wish that transforms her into her 30-year-old self, played by Garner.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That neighbor also raised concerns about security, saying fewer on-site resources and changes in how calls are handled have left some people feeling uneasy.—
Daniel Wilkerson,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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As the war in Iran stretches into a fifth week, investors who had been hopeful for a quick resolution are growing increasingly uneasy about the real-world fallout from the conflict.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Pride should come from your willingness to improve, not from resisting uncomfortable truths.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Dry air can be harmful and uncomfortable, but the LEVOIT Top Fill Humidifier can address that in any room of your home.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-conscious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-conscious. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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