self-effacing

ADJECTIVE

modest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

coy discreet humble reticent unassuming unobtrusive unpretentious

WEAK

backward bashful blushing chaste demure diffident lowly meek moderate nice proper prudent quiet reserved resigned retiring seemly self-conscious sheepish shy silent simple temperate timid unassertive unassured unboastful unpresuming unpretending withdrawing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

brave flaunting forward pretentious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"He's very self-effacing about it - I think that he just knew he was not cut out for it," he says.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

In the pilot, she is insecure and self-effacing; when a car almost runs her over, she apologizes to the driver.

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2025

In those days very few companies, least of all life and health insurers, would have dared to engage in self-effacing humor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 29, 2025

Vaill also takes exception to the characterization of Eliza as self-effacing.

From Slate • Oct. 21, 2025

The Lou Volpe I had known in my youth was self-effacing.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Vocabulary lists containing self-effacing

Flowers for Algernon

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"Curtis Aikens and the American Dream" and "Go For It!"

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All My Sons

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