Is there a less intense (more causal, less offensive) equivalent single word that means being dishonest in being modest or to show yourself to be modest when, in fact, you are just pretending?
Learn English – Word request for dishonest modesty
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Best Answer
The closest term I can think of is humblebrag, which specifically refers to a statement that appears on the surface to be a sign of humility while actually is a form of bragging. This term is somewhat recent slang and definitely carries a negative connotation.
Humblebrag Example:
https://twitter.com/stephenfry/status/312172163182518272
If you're okay with using more than one word, I think the closest phrase for a dishonest form of modesty would be false modesty. If you want to be a little more indirect, you can say someone is being ostensibly self-deprecating.