self-validation

noun

self-val·​i·​da·​tion ˌself-ˌva-lə-ˈdā-shən 

plural self-validations

: the feeling of having recognized, confirmed, or established one's own worthiness or legitimacy

… it is a glorious tale of wish-fulfilment, confirming that writers really can attain self-validation through the pen.

—Peter Bradshaw

Social media does not cause your lack of self-validation; it can, however, serve as an excuse, delay or distraction … from the fact that you don't validate yourself in the first place.

—Michael Hurd

also : an act or means of achieving self-validation

Researchers believe nodding acts as a kind of self-validation, telling yourself that you have confidence in your own thoughts.

—The Express (United Kingdom)

Taking a loss and getting up the next day to keep fighting … takes endurance and guts. Many cannot resist the temptation to trade that sting for a toxic self-validation.

—Josh Marshall

… I would swipe right on almost every girl, just to see who was interested in me—a form of self-validation …

—Matthew Kassel

Examples of self-validation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Focus On Self-Validation Instead Of External Approval Focusing on self-validation is crucial when cultivating vulnerability—most especially in relationships. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

There was also, admittedly, an element of self-validation involved in embracing the label, says Gray. —Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2024

As a trans man, my journey in self-validation and self-love has been the most challenging and rewarding emotional and spiritual experience of my life. —Sara Youngblood Gregory, refinery29.com, 24 June 2024

But frenemies are consistently imperfect, scoring low on factors such as reliable alliance and self-validation, for example. —Kirsten Weir, Scientific American, 1 May 2011

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-validation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration