SELF-DEPRECATORY Synonyms: 135 Similar and Opposite Words

self-deprecatory

adjective

Definition of self-deprecatory

as in self-deprecating

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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-deprecatory But my favorite joke was the self-deprecatory one. — Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 15 May 2026 Prior to sharing his self-deprecatory costume, Vance marked the holiday with another one of his viral memes. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025 His TikTok alone is a treasure trove of hilarious videos, which range from self-deprecatory humor to him hopping on whatever viral trend is tickling his fancy. — Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-deprecatory

Adjective

Kucharczyk’s and Chanen’s partners enthusiastically support their wife’s endeavors, regularly appearing in videos, often in humorous or self-deprecating scenarios.

— Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Fleury, who isn’t afraid of a little self-deprecating humor, knew from a young age that his path to the NFL wouldn’t include shoulder pads and a helmet, but a headset and a play sheet instead.

— Andrew Destin, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of self-deprecating

Adjective

Recipe development can be a self-effacing task, obliging the writer to anticipate the appetites and routines of her imagined reader.

— Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
In those interviews, the brothers are charmingly self-effacing and humble, a far cry from the braggadocious, aggressive posturing that defined their early celebrity.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of self-effacing

Adjective

Subverting the unassuming realism of the city with the twisted unreality of this level design not only heightens the uncanny factor but also unlocks more design creativity.

— Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
In lieu of El Banco, one stop added is Santa Barbara de Pinto, an unassuming fishing village where another dock had to be built to allow for AmaMelodia's size.

— Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of unassuming

Adjective

The classic V-neck top features a raw hem for a relaxed, down-to-earth feel, while the loose straight-leg pant keeps you comfortable as the days start to cool.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Like her name, the character has an ethereal but down-to-earth quality that everyone can relate to.

— Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of down-to-earth

Adjective

The visitors were meek and the poorest performers of the four opponents, but how much of that is down to the way Leeds played?

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Moore plays Mona Friedman, a meek housewife who hasn’t sung in front of anyone since church choir and is unexpectedly cast in a community-theater production — then transforms into a zealous method actor willing to wage war over a marginal role.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of meek

Adjective

Vicki’s expectation of deferential treatment is honestly hard to comprehend.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
That could make life harder for the NCAA in court given that the organization has long argued for deferential treatment on the basis that college sports is a fundamentally different product than pro sports.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of deferential

Adjective

Romo was arrested last month on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Wisconsin, a moment that stained his image as the aw-shucks, clean-cut football star who has become one of the best on-air personalities in the game.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
Ted himself would never say so, of course — he’d aw-shucks the notion via some convoluted reference to a beloved ’80s movie.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of aw-shucks

Browse Nearby Words

self-deprecatingly

self-deprecatory

self-despair

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Self-deprecatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-deprecatory. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of self-deprecatory

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

pundit

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes