as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
he's dating a sweet, self-effacing girl
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-effacing
As far as first impressions go, this initial exchange proves that Ortega is equal parts self-effacing and silly.
—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
8 Apr. 2026
Christian Bale’s $22 Million Off-Screen Project While Bale was being self-effacing on the red carpet, his work off-screen tells a different story.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Modesty Shines Through Each Episode Their self-effacing banter between one another throughout each podcast is a very pleasant alternative to the loud, boastful discourse often heard from other sports podcasts.
—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
22 Feb. 2026
For instance, many people praised former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s empathetic, self-effacing leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an openness and deference to experts.
—
Barret Michalec,
The Conversation,
19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
8 Apr. 2026
Christian Bale’s $22 Million Off-Screen Project While Bale was being self-effacing on the red carpet, his work off-screen tells a different story.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Modesty Shines Through Each Episode Their self-effacing banter between one another throughout each podcast is a very pleasant alternative to the loud, boastful discourse often heard from other sports podcasts.
—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
22 Feb. 2026
For instance, many people praised former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s empathetic, self-effacing leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an openness and deference to experts.
—
Barret Michalec,
The Conversation,
19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-effacing
Adjective
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The withdrawn draft focused on setting up several new watchdogs to keep AI in check, including a dedicated commission and a special insurance fund to help people if the new technology caused harm.
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The story follows Trey, a withdrawn ex-con surviving as a night driver on the city’s margins, who forms a tentative and increasingly intimate bond with Camden (Dafne Keen), a sharp and restless young woman working as a call girl.
Adjective
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Willis, who was one of the group's founders in the 1970s, died one day shy of his 75th birthday.
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His six goals tied Argentina forward Lionel Messi for the tournament lead and gave him 18 in his World Cup career, one shy of Messi's record.
Adjective
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Over the course of a few days, this bashful teen, always armed with her camcorder and far less free-spirited than her cousins, will be beset by her father’s feuding family.
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Overall and head-to-head goal differential are tiebreakers for group placement, and the Norwegians won’t be bashful about scoring as many times as possible.
Cite this Entry
“Self-effacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-effacing. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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