as in withdrawn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
But behind the self-effacing demeanor, allies of Ms. Wiles said, is a woman who can wield a scalpel.
—
Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-effacing
Adjective
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Nicky Jam has released his first project since facing stark backlash for his (withdrawn) endorsement of Donald Trump.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
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Children may express anxiety by becoming distant, withdrawn, agitated, upset, or avoiding social contact.8 4.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Those directly involved, however, were never shy to say that Jones’ role and level of play proved critical for a group that went from one of the NFL’s worst to among its very best.—
Parker Gabriel,
The Denver Post,
9 Mar. 2025
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An important late-season matchup is in store, as Brighton (43 points, 8th place) and Fulham (42 points, 9th place) sit only a few points shy of Nottingham Forest (48 points, 3rd place) in the Premier League table.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While maybe not made for the bashful, the floor-to-ceiling glass doors are incredible at expanding the space—and enjoying every last drop of water from the shower.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Jan. 2025
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Smith’s ambition to present a no-frills establishment is no indication of a bashful pedigree.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Detroit Free Press,
6 Mar. 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 23 Mar. 2025.
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