self-doubt

noun

plural self-doubts
: a lack of faith in oneself : a feeling of doubt or uncertainty about one's abilities, actions, etc.
plagued with/by self-doubt
overcame her self-doubts
The man who comes through the pages of this straightforwardly written autobiography is eminently human, full of self-doubt about his personal life and his career …Walter Goodman

Examples of self-doubt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Running a startup means facing uncertainty, setbacks and the occasional moment of self-doubt. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 Glimmers of inspiration are easily squashed by self-doubt and fear. Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2025 This can manifest in adulthood as self-doubt, difficulty accepting love, or constant comparison to others. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025 He’s acknowledged having dark thoughts, moments of self-doubt, reinforcing the importance of mental health awareness in Black communities where these conversations are often stigmatized. Dr. Delvena Thomas, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for self-doubt 

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-doubt was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near self-doubt

Cite this Entry

“Self-doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-doubt. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

self-doubt

noun
ˈself-ˈdau̇t
: a lack of faith in oneself
self-doubting
-iŋ
adjective

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