as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
he's dating a sweet, self-effacing girl
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Recent Examples of self-effacing
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
In execution, though, those sound principles produced a self-effacing Cartesian colossus — a massive hunk of boring.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 22 Sep. 2025
That’s at least partly because while Keaton’s characters might have been amused by the brainy verbosity and self-effacing neuroses of Allen’s alter egos, she was never intimidated or outmatched by them.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for 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
In execution, though, those sound principles produced a self-effacing Cartesian colossus — a massive hunk of boring.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 22 Sep. 2025
That’s at least partly because while Keaton’s characters might have been amused by the brainy verbosity and self-effacing neuroses of Allen’s alter egos, she was never intimidated or outmatched by them.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-effacing
Adjective
-
The Flynns’ pompous neighbor, Jim Doherty, a divorcé with a withdrawn, unpleasant son, encourages Catherine’s artistic rebirth.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Off-screen, Affleck has a slightly rougher star persona, while Damon’s can be a little more withdrawn and intellectual.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Amazon shoppers aren’t shy about their love for this tried-and-true staple.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
22 Jan. 2026
-
In early 2024, hourly concentrations surpassed 960 parts per billion, just shy of the state’s short-term exposure benchmark.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Next was a bashful grad student from Columbia’s engineering school who could not make eye contact.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
15 Dec. 2025
-
If a good time is picking up steam, San Diegans aren’t bashful about jumping on a Happy Train’s caboose.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-effacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-effacing. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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