SELF-DEPRECATING Synonyms: 135 Similar and Opposite Words

self-deprecating

adjective

Definition of self-deprecating

as in humble

formal meant to make yourself or the things you do seem unimportant He spoke in a self-deprecating tone. self-deprecating humor

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of self-deprecating That self-deprecating description opens Tony, writer-director Matt Johnson’s movie about the one crazy summer that changed a thoughtless young lout’s life; for good measure, the quote does double duty as the tagline on the film’s poster. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026 Neill was, by all accounts, a veritable Mensch with a warmly low-key and self-deprecating personality. — ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026 Their satire is both self-deprecating and externally critical. — Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026 Haaland has been the World Cup’s biggest personality; a self-deprecating, smiling figurehead that has seldom looked happier than in a golden month with Norway. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-deprecating

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-deprecating

Adjective

In a statement posted on social media, Obama highlighted Parton’s humble roots, colossal impact in music and Hollywood, and her philanthropic work.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
In her songs, stage banter and interviews, Parton always presented herself as a humble, yet audacious mountain dreamer made good.

— Jewly Hight, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of humble

Adjective

Howard recruited Winkler to star in his 1982 comedy Night Shift, as a meek morgue worker whose life is radicalized by a new hire played by Michael Keaton.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026
Closer to home, Liverpool have shown the pitfalls of an expensive facelift, splurging record sums on Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak last summer only to free-fall from champions to a meek fifth-place finish.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of meek

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self-dependent

self-deprecating

self-deprecatingly

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“Self-deprecating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-deprecating. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of self-deprecating

adjective

Example Sentences

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