SELF-CONSCIOUS Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

self-conscious

adjective

Definition of self-conscious

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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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of self-conscious While the intentions may be good, these little dumbshow wanderings feel rather stiff and self-conscious. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 The term seems to imply a mastery of all the resources of a form, displayed in a surprising context without self-conscious artfulness. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 The executive allegedly applied dress and appearance standards inconsistently among female employees based on body type, which made Vasquez self-conscious about how she was perceived. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2026 Freddy’s backpack Strappy (Patton Oswalt) still talks, but the kids suddenly sound a little more adult and self-conscious, as if freed somehow (even though they’re being hunted by Buddy). — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-conscious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-conscious

Adjective

One unanticipated effect of my public activism efforts is that people now feel embarrassed about using their smartphones in front of me.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
The Bears nearly turned a blowout into a disaster, and the Giants somehow went from getting embarrassed to creating a quarterback controversy.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of embarrassed

Adjective

But bond markets are already uneasy with Brazil's growing debt-to-GDP ratio, and are likely to demand an ever-higher premium if public spending rises significantly.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
The effort is backed by an uneasy alliance between the right-wing Make America Healthy Again movement and progressives, both motivated by concerns over food safety.

— Elijah Wolfson, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026