Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

false-modesty

noun

/fɔːls ˈmɒdəsti/

Definition

An attitude or behavior that outwardly appears humble but is actually intended to draw attention to oneself or one’s achievements.

Examples

Her false-modesty was apparent when she downplayed her accomplishments at the award ceremony, despite clearly enjoying the praise.
He often practiced false-modesty by saying he didn’t deserve the compliment, even though he was proud of his work.

Meaning

False-modesty is the act of pretending to be modest or humble, often to gain sympathy or admiration from others, while internally seeking recognition or validation.