as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
he's dating a sweet, self-effacing girl
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Recent Examples of self-effacing
Thomas is atypical in another regard as the floor leader, given his naturally quiet, self-effacing manner.
—
Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
During that time, a self-effacing marksman named Simo Häyhä, a sniper so grimly effective he was known and feared as the White Death, would prove invaluable to the Finns’ ability to hold off the Soviet advance.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Indeed, for all its minor-key notes and self-effacing comedy, this is really a very serious film about loss, and while the plight of a petty street thief might seem like the least of our worries, Sagan’s film wants to capture these dark moments; in a Diane Arbus way, before they’re gone.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Because his subject was surrounded by colorful and often unpredictable characters—alcoholics, neurotics, and blowhards—Perkins’s self-effacing qualities make for a dramatic contrast and a wealth of wild stories.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
During that time, a self-effacing marksman named Simo Häyhä, a sniper so grimly effective he was known and feared as the White Death, would prove invaluable to the Finns’ ability to hold off the Soviet advance.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Indeed, for all its minor-key notes and self-effacing comedy, this is really a very serious film about loss, and while the plight of a petty street thief might seem like the least of our worries, Sagan’s film wants to capture these dark moments; in a Diane Arbus way, before they’re gone.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Because his subject was surrounded by colorful and often unpredictable characters—alcoholics, neurotics, and blowhards—Perkins’s self-effacing qualities make for a dramatic contrast and a wealth of wild stories.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-effacing
Adjective
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Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
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Along the way, Babilonia matured from the shy withdrawn child who refused to hold a boy’s hand into a bold, strong and confident woman.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For reference, Palisades fire survivors expect to pay around $800 per square foot to rebuild, while Eaton fire survivors expect to pay just shy of $600.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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Completing the triptych is the story of yet another student in 1972, the shy Hannes (Enzo Brumm), who hopes to study poetry but is soon taken with the lovely Gundula (Marlene Burow), who is researching the neural responses of the geranium on her windowsill.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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The bashful display marks rock-bottom for Gabbard’s career.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, some of Brady’s former teammates with the Patriots weren’t bashful about their loyalty heading into Super Bowl LX between the Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, including Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-effacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-effacing. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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