Synonyms of self-effacing

self-effacing

adjective

ˌself-i-ˈfā-siŋ 

as in withdrawn

not comfortable around people

he's dating a sweet, self-effacing girl

Synonyms & Similar Words

• withdrawn
• shy
• bashful
• modest
• lone
• introverted
• sheepish
• coy
• retiring
• diffident
• recessive
• backward
• demure
• reserved
• awkward
• embarrassed
• antisocial
• unsociable
• unassertive
• unsocial
• uptight
• self-conscious
• uneasy
• lone-wolf
• inhibited
• unadventurous
• unenterprising

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outgoing
• extroverted
• social
• immodest
• gregarious
• sociable
• convivial
• companionable
• forceful
• bold
• boon
• uninhibited
• clubbable
• brash
• dashing
• unreserved
• forward
• overbold

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of self-effacing

Yet at a vital moment of national self-representation, the design’s self-effacing dimensions stirred up far-reaching questions about scale, politics, and monumentality. — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026

The team of Bob Mortimer, Aisling Bea, and Sally Phillips sang a song that playfully mocked Rosalind, but the team of Nish Kumar and Mark Watson—whose performances had been hilariously scattershot that season—delivered a sweet, self-effacing, and humorous song that took everyone by surprise. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026

As far as first impressions go, this initial exchange proves that Ortega is equal parts self-effacing and silly. — Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 8 Apr. 2026

Christian Bale’s $22 Million Off-Screen Project While Bale was being self-effacing on the red carpet, his work off-screen tells a different story. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026