self-deprecatory

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 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 Though it’s been less than two weeks since Conan O’Brien made his Oscars hosting debut, the famously self-deprecatory comedian is already discussing how things could’ve gone differently. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Mar. 2025 But here, Astrov, given great self-deprecatory wit by William Jackson Harper, is more dimensional than usual, including, for once, an interest in trees that’s as painfully visceral as his interest in Elena. Jesse Green, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-deprecatory
Adjective
  • During his brief time, the self-deprecating Brennan joked about his Midwestern roots, being one of eight kids and his recent adjustment to New York City.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Their relationship skews toward mentor-mentee—Carl the self-deprecating sage, Teig the highly skilled understudy—owing to Carl’s experience in the mountains more than their respective hunting records.
    Devon O’Neil, Outside, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In true KidSuper form, the book is self-effacing.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Roberts performs as Yale philosophy Professor Alma, the self-righteousness that dazzles in her eyes subjugates Edebiri as Maggie, her self-effacing star pupil.
    Malik Peay, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Before long, an unassuming couple stops to pick him up.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Works by Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian or Willem de Kooning can resurface years, or decades, later in a building’s basement or behind an unassuming bedroom door.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The language is colloquial, down-to-earth.
    Andrew Rojecki, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
  • On one hand, this could be tied to travel or international relations, or something more down-to-earth like legalities or getting involved with spiritual communities.
    Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • These once-humble activities are reclaiming their place not as quaint relics, but as powerful tools for well-being.
    Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Ready to let the humble-yet-mighty brown work its magic in your wardrobe this fall?
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Tessa Thompson stars as the willful heroine, married to a rather meek academic, George Tesman (Tom Bateman), who’s angling for an important university position.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Employment growth is meek, but the labor market is holding steady.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Maryland’s appeal points to Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, which instructs federal judges to be highly deferential in evaluating state criminal convictions.
    Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The joke was neither too harsh nor too deferential.
    Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The aw-shucks routine appeared carefully calibrated to reinforce his core message, framing Republicans as the reasonable stewards of government being thwarted by extremist Democrats.
    Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Played by the versatile Domhnall Gleeson, in a performance that couldn’t be more different from his memorably unnerving turns in The Patient and Black Mirror, incoming Truth-Teller editor-in-chief Ned Sampson has a sort of aw-shucks, pre-Ozark-Jason-Bateman vibe.
    Judy Berman, Time, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Self-deprecatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-deprecatory. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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