as in withdrawn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
For instance, many people praised former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s empathetic, self-effacing leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an openness and deference to experts.
—
Barret Michalec, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
The self-effacing Kress downplayed the moment.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Barret Michalec, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
The self-effacing Kress downplayed the moment.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-effacing
Adjective
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Patrick Stewart is also among those to have publicly discussed working with a withdrawn Hardy, who has also starred in The Dark Knight trilogy, Peaky Blinders and the Venom films.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2026
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Read more on the deadly ripple effects of withdrawn aid.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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Petco — Shares of the pet retailer dropped roughly 8% after Petco’s current-quarter forecast came in shy of Wall Street’s expectations.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
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Though often despised, carp are exceedingly shy and difficult, and great fighters.—
Byron W. Dalrymple,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Brock Purdy isn’t bashful about the 49ers’ potential.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
21 May 2026
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Lennon’s recounting of his and Ono’s meeting at a London show of her work, and of the bashful courtship that followed, is one of the most tender and revealing parts of the interview.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-effacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-effacing. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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