as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
he's dating a sweet, self-effacing girl
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Recent Examples of self-effacing
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
No wonder, then, that voters cling to the fantasy of the self-effacing candidate—the kind who demonstrates his worthiness of the office by not wanting it at all.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
In true KidSuper form, the book is self-effacing.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
No wonder, then, that voters cling to the fantasy of the self-effacing candidate—the kind who demonstrates his worthiness of the office by not wanting it at all.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
In true KidSuper form, the book is self-effacing.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
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The Flynns’ pompous neighbor, Jim Doherty, a divorcé with a withdrawn, unpleasant son, encourages Catherine’s artistic rebirth.—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Off-screen, Affleck has a slightly rougher star persona, while Damon’s can be a little more withdrawn and intellectual.—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
-
Kristian Houston was a shy, nervous child who was afraid to speak in front of a crowd.—
Kamal Morgan
February 5,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Continue in the southerly direction, appreciating the gnarled coast live oaks and sound of shy red-eared sliders plopping off their logs into the water.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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 15 Feb. 2026.
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