overmodest

7.9

Acting too shy so it seems not sincere

adjective
/ˌoʊvərˈmɒdɪst/

: demasiado modesto

She gave an overmodest smile, clearly fishing for compliments.

Examples

The actor's overmodest acceptance speech was charmingly self-effacing.
His overmodest behavior sometimes made people suspect he was not genuine.
Her overmodest attitude during the presentation surprised everyone.
He is so overmodest that it seems fake.
She gave an overmodest smile, clearly fishing for compliments.
His overmodest behavior sometimes made people suspect he was not genuine.
The actor's overmodest acceptance speech was charmingly self-effacing.

Synonyms

coy

vsovermodest

24 5.4

Acting shy to seem playful or avoid answering directly

is overly modest and can seem affected or insincere for effect

demure

vsovermodest

14 7.4

Being quiet, modest, and often shy

is more excessive and can seem affected or provocatively insincere

Antonyms

confident

715 2.5

Feeling sure about yourself or what will happen

boastful

7 3.7

Being too proud of achievements or skills in a way that annoys others

How Modest

overmodest

7.9

self-effacing

7 7.4

modest

81 2.7

unassuming

20 5.8

guarded

4.9

Surface Forms

overmodest positive

overmodester comparative

overmodestest superlative

Morphology

overmodest = modest (transparent) = over + modest

The productive prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessively' combines with the adjective 'modest' to yield the clear meaning 'excessively modest'.

Etymology

Overmodest combines over- meaning 'too much' and modest meaning 'not wanting attention'. So, overmodest describes being 'too modest' — so shy or humble that it can seem not real and may be done to get compliments.