self-validation

noun

self-val·​i·​da·​tion ˌself-ˌva-lə-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce self-validation (audio)
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-validationMatthew Kassel

Examples of self-validation 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.
Work on building your self-esteem through self-validation and mindfulness. Mark Travers, Forbes, 17 Aug. 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 There was also, admittedly, an element of self-validation involved in embracing the label, says Gray. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2024 The researchers defined quality friendships as those scoring high on help, intimacy, self-validation, reliable alliance, emotional security and stimulating companionship. Kirsten Weir, Scientific American, 1 May 2011 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-validation was in 1919

Dictionary Entries Near self-validation

Cite this Entry

“Self-validation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-validation. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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