self-effacing
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So how did this seemingly quiet, retiring child and self-effacing bureaucrat turn into a president who so avidly embraced the limelight?
From BBC • May 30, 2026
So self-effacing is Rembrandt, in fact, that some portraits, and this is one, seem to have come into being independent of human agency.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 24, 2026
In the pilot, she is insecure and self-effacing; when a car almost runs her over, she apologizes to the driver.
From Salon • Dec. 15, 2025
When Harris acted the way that vice presidents normally do — subservient, self-effacing, careful never to poach the spotlight from the chief executive — it was seen as a failing.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2025
John was followed shortly by two men about our age from Louisville—Jim and Chuck, both real nice fellows, self-effacing and funny.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
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Vocabulary lists containing self-effacing
Flowers for Algernon
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"Curtis Aikens and the American Dream" and "Go For It!"
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All My Sons
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