Self-detracting

Describing behavior, statements, or actions that diminish one's own value, importance, or credibility, often through disparagement, belittling, or undermining self-worth. This can involve highlighting one's flaws, minimizing accomplishments, or making statements that present oneself in a negative or unfavorable light. The intent may or may not be conscious, ranging from genuine insecurity to a misguided attempt at humility or humor. It ultimately serves to lessen, rather than enhance, the speaker's or actor's perceived standing or influence.

Self-detracting meaning with examples

• During the job interview, instead of focusing on his achievements, he made several self-detracting comments about his past failures. He admitted to being disorganized and slow in his previous role. These remarks, intended as honesty, made the interviewer question his qualifications and undermined his chances of getting hired, a choice that was obviously self-detracting.
• Her attempt at self-deprecating humor consistently backfired. Instead of endearing herself to the audience, her self-detracting jokes about her intelligence and appearance created the impression of low self-esteem and made the crowd uncomfortable. This strategy, meant to connect, instead highlighted insecurities, an example of speech that was self-detracting.
• Despite his undeniable talent, the artist often made self-detracting remarks about his work, downplaying his accomplishments and emphasizing perceived imperfections. This habit, born from self-doubt, caused potential buyers and collaborators to question the value of his pieces and damaged his reputation, behavior that proved to be self-detracting.
• The politician, struggling to connect with voters, continually made self-detracting comments about their own political record. While aiming for relatability, their honesty sounded like incompetence, thus voters began to perceive the candidate as weak, not as a public figure who understood his mistakes. This tactic of self-detracting comments proved counterproductive to the goals.