self-effacing
adjective
self-ef·fac·ing
ˌself-i-ˈfā-siŋ 
-e-
: having or showing a tendency to make oneself modestly or shyly inconspicuous
His passions and faith run soul-deep, his gentle wit is always self-effacing and never insulting …—
Don Gaetz
Don Gaetz… she was an extremely self-effacing, private person who never sought the limelight and did not leave the usual artifacts that enable a biographer to reconstruct life patterns.—Douglas R. McManis
Douglas R. McManisExamples of self-effacing in a Sentence
he's dating a sweet, self-effacing girl
Recent Examples on the Web
Although self-effacing and unfashionable, Hackman held special status within Hollywood — heir to Spencer Tracy as an everyman, actor’s actor, curmudgeon and reluctant celebrity.
—Hillel Italie, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Friends and former colleagues say that General Caine, an intensely focused but low-key, self-effacing officer, has been uncomfortable with Mr. Trump’s characterization of his role in defeating the Islamic State.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Bearing a flawlessly polite and self-effacing demeanor, Mr. Blinken spent countless hours trying to resolve and prevent conflict.
—Edward Wong, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
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
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Hillel Italie, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Friends and former colleagues say that General Caine, an intensely focused but low-key, self-effacing officer, has been uncomfortable with Mr. Trump’s characterization of his role in defeating the Islamic State.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Bearing a flawlessly polite and self-effacing demeanor, Mr. Blinken spent countless hours trying to resolve and prevent conflict.
—Edward Wong, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for self-effacing
Articles Related to self-effacing
Cite this Entry
“Self-effacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-effacing. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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