self-negating

adjective

self-ne·​gat·​ing ˌself-ni-ˈgā-tiŋ 

: 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