Looking for synonyms for self-deprecating? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say self-deprecating.
- Self-effacing
- Modest
- Humble
- Unassuming
- Self-critical
- Down-to-earth
- Self-mocking
- Undervaluing oneself
- Self-belittling
- Self-disparaging
- Self-minimizing
- Self-demeaning
- Self-denigrating
- Self-deprecative
- Self-skeptical
- Self-questioning
- Self-doubting
- Understated
- Demure
- Self-dismissive
Want to learn how to say self-deprecating professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Self-effacing
Use when someone is modest and does not draw attention to their abilities or achievements.
Example: “Despite her success, she remains self-effacing about her accomplishments.”
2. Modest
Appropriate for someone who downplays their own abilities or achievements.
Example: “His modest response to the praise for his work showed his humility.”
3. Humble
Use when someone has a low view of their own importance.
Example: “She gave a humble speech, acknowledging her team’s contribution to the project.”
4. Unassuming
Ideal for someone who is not arrogant or presumptuous about their abilities.
Example: “The most skilled programmer in our team is surprisingly unassuming.”
5. Self-critical
Used when someone often criticizes or judges themselves.
Example: “As a self-critical editor, she meticulously revises her own writing.”
6. Down-to-earth
Appropriate for someone who is practical, realistic, and humble.
Example: “His down-to-earth approach in leadership makes him very approachable.”
7. Self-mocking
Use when someone makes fun of themselves in a light-hearted manner.
Example: “Her self-mocking humor during the presentation made the audience laugh.”
8. Undervaluing oneself
Ideal for someone who sees themselves as less valuable or capable than they are.
Example: “She tends to undervalue herself, despite her extensive expertise in the field.”
9. Self-belittling
Used when someone speaks about themselves in a disparaging or deprecating manner.
Example: “He often self-belittles his role in the project, although he is a key contributor.”
10. Self-disparaging
Appropriate for someone who speaks slightingly or disrespectfully about themselves.
Example: “In a self-disparaging remark, she joked about her own lack of technological skills.”
11. Self-minimizing
Use when someone understates their abilities or achievements.
Example: “He has a self-minimizing way of talking about his pivotal role in the company’s growth.”
12. Self-demeaning
Ideal for someone who puts themselves down, often in a serious manner.
Example: “Her self-demeaning comments about her performance were unwarranted.”
13. Self-denigrating
Used when someone belittles themselves or their abilities.
Example: “His self-denigrating jokes about his own sales record were received with laughter.”
14. Self-deprecative
Appropriate for someone who is modest or lightly disparaging about themselves.
Example: “Her self-deprecative remarks endeared her to her colleagues.”
15. Self-skeptical
Use when someone doubts or questions their own abilities or decisions.
Example: “As a self-skeptical scientist, he constantly reviews his own research methodologies.”
16. Self-questioning
Ideal for someone who frequently reflects on and questions their own actions or thoughts.
Example: “Her self-questioning nature leads her to be very thorough in her analysis.”
17. Self-doubting
Used when someone lacks confidence in their own abilities.
Example: “Despite his achievements, he remains self-doubting about his skills.”
18. Understated
Appropriate for someone who presents themselves in a subtle and restrained manner.
Example: “His understated demeanor often masks his vast experience in the industry.”
19. Demure
Use when someone is reserved, modest, and shy.
Example: “Her demure presence in meetings belies her assertiveness in decision-making.”
20. Self-dismissive
Ideal for someone who minimizes their own importance or achievements.
Example: “She was self-dismissive about her role in the project, attributing the success to her team.”
