self-deprecation
noun
self-dep·re·ca·tion
ˌself-de-pri-ˈkā-shən 
plural self-deprecations
: disparagement or undervaluation of oneself
On-camera and off, cheerful self-deprecation is the key to Hugh Grant's formidable charm.—
Leah Rozen
Leah RozenComedy is about self-deprecation, about showing vulnerability.—David Moore
David MooreExamples of self-deprecation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Making oneself the butt of the joke through self-deprecation or irony.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
His warm friendliness and cheeky self-deprecation suggest a character who plays perfectly to Grant's usual strengths as a leading man.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2024
Just beneath their bickering lies the finest sort of friendship, one laced with as much droll sarcasm and self-deprecation as honesty and vulnerability.
—Tomris Laffly, TIME, 13 Sep. 2024
Part of it is that Harris’ campaign has utilized a comedic tool long popular with Gen Z: self-deprecation.
—Byeva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 July 2024
Putting my self-deprecation declaration to the test!
—Daniel Kohn, SPIN, 26 June 2024
The life of a character actor requires a lot of humility and a healthy knack for self-deprecation.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2024
Billed as a cultural celebration of Los Angeles, Everybody’s In L.A. intersperses field pieces with Mulaney’s unique brand of standup, a melange of observational humor and fey self-deprecation.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2024
In comedy, a form built on underdog relatability and the cathartic pleasures of both self-deprecation and punching up, being gorgeous can be a professional liability.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2024
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
His warm friendliness and cheeky self-deprecation suggest a character who plays perfectly to Grant's usual strengths as a leading man.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2024
Just beneath their bickering lies the finest sort of friendship, one laced with as much droll sarcasm and self-deprecation as honesty and vulnerability.
—Tomris Laffly, TIME, 13 Sep. 2024
Part of it is that Harris’ campaign has utilized a comedic tool long popular with Gen Z: self-deprecation.
—Byeva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 July 2024
Putting my self-deprecation declaration to the test!
—Daniel Kohn, SPIN, 26 June 2024
The life of a character actor requires a lot of humility and a healthy knack for self-deprecation.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2024
Billed as a cultural celebration of Los Angeles, Everybody’s In L.A. intersperses field pieces with Mulaney’s unique brand of standup, a melange of observational humor and fey self-deprecation.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2024
In comedy, a form built on underdog relatability and the cathartic pleasures of both self-deprecation and punching up, being gorgeous can be a professional liability.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near self-deprecation
Cite this Entry
“Self-deprecation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-deprecation. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share