self-conscious

[self-kon-shuhs, self-] / ˈsɛlfˈkɒn ʃəs, ˌsɛlf- /

ADJECTIVE

insecure with oneself

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anxious awkward bashful embarrassed mannered nervous sheepish shy stiff stilted uncomfortable uneasy unsure

WEAK

affected artificial diffident discomfited ill at ease out of countenance shamefaced uncertain

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm comfortable confident content easy graceful happy unashamed unshy unworried

WEAK

assured secure sure unself-conscious

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.

Would I emerge kinder, more resilient—or plagued with unexpected self-consciousness about one of the few areas of my life for which I haven’t felt self-conscious?

From Slate • May 10, 2026

Frank Poulsen has dementia, and like many people with memory loss, he often feels self-conscious in social situations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Zadie Smith quit keeping a diary because the exercise made her feel phony and self-conscious.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

"I hate anybody watching me sing in the studio, because I'm kind of a self-conscious person and somebody pointing a camera at me doesn't help with that," he says.

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026

It made her self-conscious, and she finished tucking in her hair as quickly as she could.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

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