as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
he's dating a sweet, self-effacing girl
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-effacing
Bearing a flawlessly polite and self-effacing demeanor, Mr. Blinken spent countless hours trying to resolve and prevent conflict.
—
Edward Wong, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
But behind the self-effacing demeanor, allies of Ms. Wiles said, is a woman who can wield a scalpel.
—Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
The outward-facing woman was self-effacing and gracious and vivacious, a compassionate listener.
—Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
The self-effacing Tunney wasn’t incognito to a lot of his students.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Edward Wong, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
But behind the self-effacing demeanor, allies of Ms. Wiles said, is a woman who can wield a scalpel.
—Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
The outward-facing woman was self-effacing and gracious and vivacious, a compassionate listener.
—Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
The self-effacing Tunney wasn’t incognito to a lot of his students.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-effacing
Adjective
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Its influence on the withdrawn protagonist, Jamie (played by Owen Cooper), is largely implied.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
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The withdrawn San Francisco drama, about lonely nonbinary nanny and restaurant server Cass (Asia Kate Dillon), is simple in its presentation, but disguises numerous layers to its story.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Domenica, was from Sicily and died just a few months shy of 100 years old.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
9 May 2025
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His grandmother is also from Sicily and died just a few months shy of 100 years old.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Cher was bashful to be busted but then couldn’t help laughing out loud at the audacity.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Or maybe the movie’s stars are just feeling a bit bashful!—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-effacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-effacing. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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