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self-effacement

[self-i-feys-muhnt, self-] / ˈsɛlf ɪˈfeɪs mənt, ˌsɛlf- /


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.

See Examples For:

“Bluesky apology forms” even began to circulate among lefties with a sense of humor and self-effacement.

From Slate Jul. 14, 2026

Stuart had to paint humility and self-effacement when his favorite clientele laughed at his jokes, drank with him and enjoyed his raconteur flirtations.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 26, 2026

While the spectacle of awards shows can be embarrassing, a cringe-making combo of self-congratulation and self-effacement, the hype always gets me in the end.

From New York Times Jan. 14, 2023

As the interview winds down, Sharpton calls himself, with an uncharacteristic mix of self-effacement and understatement, “some fat guy from Brooklyn who lost the weight and got some stuff done.”

From Washington Post Dec. 5, 2022

It is safer, you conclude, to choose self-effacement at this critical moment in your career.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker




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