as in humble
formal
meant to make yourself or the things you do seem unimportant
He spoke in a self-deprecating tone. self-deprecating humor
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-deprecating
Someone might say it about others in good-natured talk or themselves as a self-deprecating compliment.
—
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2025
Taurasi accepted the well-wishes while also taking a self-deprecating jab at herself.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
Told in a sharp, self-deprecating, first-person point of view, this small town, Southern mystery packs a big wallop.
—Connie Ogle, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
The lighthearted roast instantly went viral, offering a rare moment of vulnerability—and self-deprecating humor—for Smith, who has increasingly brought his family into his programming.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for self-deprecating
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2025
Taurasi accepted the well-wishes while also taking a self-deprecating jab at herself.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
Told in a sharp, self-deprecating, first-person point of view, this small town, Southern mystery packs a big wallop.
—Connie Ogle, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
The lighthearted roast instantly went viral, offering a rare moment of vulnerability—and self-deprecating humor—for Smith, who has increasingly brought his family into his programming.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for self-deprecating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-deprecating
Adjective
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Its irresistible hook is always the food, prepared with love and care, often at humble family-run operations that have been in business for generations.—
Leslie Kelly,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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The original movie saw the recent college graduate in the intense world of fashion and global media, juggling her humble past with a bright future while working as an assistant to Streep’s Priestly.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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What threatened to be a meek, straight-sets exit for the 13th seed went full-metal crazy on match point down when Bonzi was interrupted from serving it out after a photographer absent-mindedly walked onto the court.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Social deficits can manifest as belligerent or meek.—
Tao Lin,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-deprecating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-deprecating. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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