self-negating

adjective

self-ne·​gat·​ing ˌself-ni-ˈgā-tiŋ How to pronounce self-negating (audio)
: tending or serving to negate oneself: such as
a
: tending or serving to render itself ineffective or invalid
a self-negating criticism/argument
The counterpart of the self-fulfilling prophecy is the self-negating prophecy, in which a prediction brings about its opposite.Nicholas A. Christakis
b
: tending or serving to negate or deny one's own wishes, needs, value, or importance
There will be self-negating thoughts that haunt those with depression. They may think they are unworthy, or that they are a failure, despite obvious signs of success.Wina Sturgeon
Emma once worked "in TV" but is now in the self-negating throes of early motherhood.Emily Donaldson
He [Joseph Cornell] was also devoted, to an alarmingly self-negating degree, to his younger brother Robert, who suffered from a severe form of cerebral palsy.Donna Seaman
And for some reason—inexperience? compassion? self-negating politeness?—you're questioning your instincts.Karla Miller

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-negating was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near self-negating

Cite this Entry

“Self-negating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-negating. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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