as in withdrawn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
The outward-facing woman was self-effacing and gracious and vivacious, a compassionate listener.
—
Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
The self-effacing Tunney wasn’t incognito to a lot of his students.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
Cher is a bracing read, peppered with caustic quips and self-effacing anecdotes, but fundamentally frank.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024
With his self-effacing sense of humor and willingness to dive fully into any character, Paul was perfect for the part.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
The self-effacing Tunney wasn’t incognito to a lot of his students.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
Cher is a bracing read, peppered with caustic quips and self-effacing anecdotes, but fundamentally frank.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024
With his self-effacing sense of humor and willingness to dive fully into any character, Paul was perfect for the part.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-effacing
Adjective
-
Solitary, eccentric, shrouded in a mystical melancholy, Joakim fights for his farm and leads a withdrawn life, with only his pets and a neighbor for company; a Slovak immigrant who also lives ostracized, as an outsider.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2025
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Hong’s withdrawn gaze is interrupted by sudden movements, like pans across space and crash zooms into ongoing conversations.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
And some shy away from expressing controversial takes — even anonymously.—
James Mirtle,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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They may be drawn to partners who provide excitement but shy away from relationships that require effort, compromise or emotional depth.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
McNally is professionally bashful about such associations.—
Matthew Schneier,
Vulture,
29 Jan. 2025
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Some of the folks were happy to have their pictures taken, while others were more bashful and/or private, preferring that only their watch be photographed.—
Allen Farmelo,
Robb Report,
26 Nov. 2024
Articles Related to self-effacing
Cite this Entry
“Self-effacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-effacing. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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