as in embarrassed
concerned with the way one is perceived by others
He used to feel self-conscious about his belly.
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Recent Examples of self-conscious
Excuse the cynicism, but this is the sort of combination of touchy-feely button-pushing and self-conscious peculiarity that’s meant to seem significant and profound that will bring out your inner rom-com Grinch.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
Surgeries, hair loss, or scars can leave young women feeling self-conscious during a period of life when many of their friends are focused on starting relationships or families.
—Julie Scott, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Advanced students can find the famous tape of them performing at a Harvard mixer, doing a cute song about how self-conscious everyone felt around the opposite sex.
—Brett Milano, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Soboleva was self-conscious at first, screaming in public.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-conscious
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
Surgeries, hair loss, or scars can leave young women feeling self-conscious during a period of life when many of their friends are focused on starting relationships or families.
—Julie Scott, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Advanced students can find the famous tape of them performing at a Harvard mixer, doing a cute song about how self-conscious everyone felt around the opposite sex.
—Brett Milano, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Soboleva was self-conscious at first, screaming in public.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-conscious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-conscious
Adjective
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While the person being filmed is embarrassed, the one filming walks away with a reputation and clout.—
Eli Thompson,
Rolling Stone,
25 Oct. 2025
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The narrator and her friend seem slightly embarrassed at the possibility of being overheard—seeing the couple perhaps reminds them that Americans are not simply an idea on a page or in a newspaper headline, but actual people.—
Rhian Sasseen,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Across its run, The Witcher has traced the uneasy bond between Geralt of Rivia (Liam Hemsworth), the monster hunter bound by destiny; Ciri (Freya Allan), the princess whose power could save or destroy worlds; and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), the sorceress torn between ambition and love.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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In the Odyssey, Homer depicts Helen and Menelaus’s reunion as uneasy and sometimes tearful, after years of estrangement.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Whether the show is about light slowly creeping in on the longest night or an uncomfortable journey someplace, somewhere, marching bands have only eight minutes to get through to each person’s soul.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Oct. 2025
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During an organized ghost-hunt weekend in 2018, the 41-year-old Connecticut resident was already feeling uncomfortable during the group’s exploration in the city’s historic downtown of the building that housed the Moon River Brewing Company, which has since closed.—
Aaron Sagers,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-conscious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-conscious. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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