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
Love Story, though a self-conscious departure from the other shows of the Murphyverse, employs a similar logic.
—
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
Marcus Phillips spearheads a spot-on quintet of classmates, each bursting with self-conscious awkwardness and a desire to be seen and understood.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
The film's intimate sense of joy is not a deflection against the truth of what the Johnsons are facing, but a self-conscious, honest expression of it.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Just a bit self-conscious, and sometimes the hair flicking and all that.
—Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-conscious
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
Marcus Phillips spearheads a spot-on quintet of classmates, each bursting with self-conscious awkwardness and a desire to be seen and understood.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
The film's intimate sense of joy is not a deflection against the truth of what the Johnsons are facing, but a self-conscious, honest expression of it.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Just a bit self-conscious, and sometimes the hair flicking and all that.
—Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-conscious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-conscious
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, Nintendo — which had let Hollywood Pictures take the reigns on the project — was so embarrassed by the film that the company necessitated a more hands-on approach for all future adaptations based on their products.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
3 Apr. 2026
-
When the girl hesitated, embarrassed, the boy insisted.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Many of these stemmed from the uneasy coexistence of political parties with religion – which was newly protected by the First Amendment – and with the Catholic Church in particular.—
Derek Arnold,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
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So the uneasy authorities decided that such impertinence must be silenced once and for all.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As this video below from The Athletic explains, the key to making Luis Enrique’s side uncomfortable in possession is to be brave and press high.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Sutskever seemed uncomfortable with this idea.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-conscious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-conscious. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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