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 fissures between family members over what to do about that discovery reveal a whole spectrum of willful American self-delusion and cynicism, carefully shaded by Lila Neugebauer’s precise naturalist direction.
—Vulture Editors, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2024
Talk about the United States as the most open or competitive economy in the world is a form of self-delusion.
—Adam S. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
The story of Némirovsky’s own efforts to secure protection from Vichy France would have neatly complemented the narratives of vanity and self-delusion that define the novel.
—James Heffernan, The New York Review of Books, 18 Jan. 2024
Yes, the film is filled with self-delusion and unethical behavior, not just on Gracie’s part, but Elizabeth’s.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023
In my view, the book is best read as a portrait of self-delusion.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2023
Our lives, even our most intimate ones, Hill suggests, are susceptible to a series of false narratives, propped up by conspiracy theories, placebo effects and self-delusion.
—Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
But being a Tomato Girl is just as much a mindset: a self-delusion that real life can be a holiday, even when you’re stuck at home.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 July 2023
Both bands are singing about self-delusion, but Steely Dan are singing in the voice of self-delusion, instead of describing self-delusion.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2023
Vulture Editors, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2024
Talk about the United States as the most open or competitive economy in the world is a form of self-delusion.
—Adam S. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
The story of Némirovsky’s own efforts to secure protection from Vichy France would have neatly complemented the narratives of vanity and self-delusion that define the novel.
—James Heffernan, The New York Review of Books, 18 Jan. 2024
Yes, the film is filled with self-delusion and unethical behavior, not just on Gracie’s part, but Elizabeth’s.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023
In my view, the book is best read as a portrait of self-delusion.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2023
Our lives, even our most intimate ones, Hill suggests, are susceptible to a series of false narratives, propped up by conspiracy theories, placebo effects and self-delusion.
—Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
But being a Tomato Girl is just as much a mindset: a self-delusion that real life can be a holiday, even when you’re stuck at home.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 July 2023
Both bands are singing about self-delusion, but Steely Dan are singing in the voice of self-delusion, instead of describing self-delusion.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-delusion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 4 Jul. 2024.
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