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

Some of Sami’s videos also were humorous and self-deprecating.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Sep. 2026
As a priest, Lamb held a calm, patient and somewhat self-deprecating sense of perspective.

— Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 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

The choice of Kijanangoma, who is known as a down-to-earth broadcaster, was likely aimed at appealing to traditionalists seeking continuity and those against having another child on the throne.

— Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Unlike its ritzier northern neighbor Naples (where luxury shopping and homes are the norm), Marco Island has a decidedly more down-to-earth feel.

— Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of down-to-earth

Adjective

While the wider world has in recent decades fallen for the archipelago’s humble street food, there’s a rising number of contemporary chefs who are elevating the national cuisine on the global stage.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 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 humble

Adjective

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
Though sympathetic to the onslaught of treatments Zai is facing, the meek, protective Minoti warns her of the repercussions of rebellion.

— Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of meek

Adjective

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
Carefully deferential to the star, Parton carved out a foothold for herself.

— RJ Smith, Los Angeles Times, 25 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 11 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

patina

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes