as in withdrawn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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The withdrawn San Francisco drama, about lonely nonbinary nanny and restaurant server Cass (Asia Kate Dillon), is simple in its presentation, but disguises numerous layers to its story.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2025
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Jade and John told Dateline both had noticed their daughter was acting a bit withdrawn in the period leading up to her disappearance.—
Veronica Fulton,
NBC News,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And according to a couple of the seniors in the secondary, the young defensive backs haven’t been shy about it.—
Dan Lovi,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2025
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Don’t be shy about mixing the panko-meat mixture with your hands.—
Christopher Kimball,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 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
Cite this Entry
“Self-effacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-effacing. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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