self-delusion
noun
self-de·lu·sion
ˌself-di-ˈlü-zhən 
-dē-
plural self-delusions
1
: the act of deluding oneself or the state of being deluded by oneself especially concerning one's true nature, abilities, feelings, etc.
My god-given talent for self-delusion keeps me believing that the increasing amount of time I spend alone is of my own choice …—
Matthew Ritger
Matthew RitgerThey know what they are doing is wrong. And it's our job to remind them of it. Because when we don't continually remind them, people devolve into self-delusion.—Jessica Valenti
Jessica Valenti2
: a delusion that one has concerning oneself
… a star of immense talent who harbored no self-delusions.—Eric Marchese
Eric MarcheseExamples of self-delusion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The project, created by Samantha Strauss and directed by Jeffrey Walker, also takes aim at the contradictions and self-delusion that propped up Gibson’s empire of lies.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2025
The Sun, representative of the ego, teams up with angry, backwards Mercury in Leo, which will most likely result in absolutely legendary feats of self-delusion.
—Jennifer Culp, Them, 9 Aug. 2024
Among the recent discoveries of neuroscience is that radical self-delusion can have an organic source.
—Mark Lilla, Harper's Magazine, 2 Oct. 2024
As the director, Joshua Oppenheimer, emphasizes the household’s compromises and self-delusions (reinforced by the songs and dances) to justify its comforts as the world burns, Oppenheimer seemingly accuses his viewers, too.
—The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024
Influential and destructive, Smith brings a tremulous self-delusion and confidence to the part, with a wild passion for life that contradicts everything young women are supposed to be taught at a strict all-girls school, particularly a fascination with men.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2024
Her self-delusion is further assisted by the appearance of movie star Alberto Lazzari (Amedeo Nazzari).
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2024
Overconfidence and self-delusion about abilities may also emerge.
—Nuala Walsh, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
Meanwhile, his wife (an extraordinary Tilda Swinton) raises self-delusion to an art form.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024
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Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2025
The Sun, representative of the ego, teams up with angry, backwards Mercury in Leo, which will most likely result in absolutely legendary feats of self-delusion.
—Jennifer Culp, Them, 9 Aug. 2024
Among the recent discoveries of neuroscience is that radical self-delusion can have an organic source.
—Mark Lilla, Harper's Magazine, 2 Oct. 2024
As the director, Joshua Oppenheimer, emphasizes the household’s compromises and self-delusions (reinforced by the songs and dances) to justify its comforts as the world burns, Oppenheimer seemingly accuses his viewers, too.
—The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024
Influential and destructive, Smith brings a tremulous self-delusion and confidence to the part, with a wild passion for life that contradicts everything young women are supposed to be taught at a strict all-girls school, particularly a fascination with men.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2024
Her self-delusion is further assisted by the appearance of movie star Alberto Lazzari (Amedeo Nazzari).
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2024
Overconfidence and self-delusion about abilities may also emerge.
—Nuala Walsh, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
Meanwhile, his wife (an extraordinary Tilda Swinton) raises self-delusion to an art form.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near self-delusion
Cite this Entry
“Self-delusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-delusion. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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