as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
he's dating a sweet, self-effacing girl
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Recent Examples of self-effacing
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
Rogers was being self-effacing.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Denver comedy fans are well served this weekend with headlining sets from hometown hero Josh Blue, a stand-up crusher who’s been showing comics how it’s done since grabbing national attention in 2006 with his hilariously deft, self-effacing routines.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
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
Rogers was being self-effacing.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Denver comedy fans are well served this weekend with headlining sets from hometown hero Josh Blue, a stand-up crusher who’s been showing comics how it’s done since grabbing national attention in 2006 with his hilariously deft, self-effacing routines.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
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Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.—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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The Flynns’ pompous neighbor, Jim Doherty, a divorcé with a withdrawn, unpleasant son, encourages Catherine’s artistic rebirth.—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
Adjective
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They’re also sold in a three-pack, so don’t be shy about spraying them on everyone’s hands.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
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Charlotte’s 22 double-digit wins are only four shy of the highest single-season total in franchise history.—
James Jackson,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Next was a bashful grad student from Columbia’s engineering school who could not make eye contact.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-effacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-effacing. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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