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
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This technology could also be powerful in addressing the confidence gap that has held women back for generations, the self-doubt and internalized societal messages women often carry that undervalue their abilities and discourage risk-taking, particularly in public or male-dominated arenas. Erin Grau, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025 Fight your self-doubts with a stronger self-esteem. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 28 Jan. 2025 The full moon in Leo on February 12 asks you to let go of lingering insecurities or self-doubt. Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 28 Jan. 2025 There is the abyss of self-doubt and insecurity on one hand, the desire to create something unique and universally admired on the other, and jealousy and envy in the middle. Karl Ove Knausgaard, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 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 21 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

self-doubt

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

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