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
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.
Their mismatched dynamic anchors the story, with Linden pointing out how Wolff subtly reveals the self-doubt beneath Amir’s ambition. Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025 Then May 30’s Sun-Mercury conjunction in Gemini opens space to express your insight with a lighter touch — humor, storytelling, and self-trust could take you further than self-doubt ever did. Colin Bedell, Them., 22 May 2025 Harner reveals a Torvald changed by time and self-doubt. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025 With a catalogue of songs shot through with self-doubt and hope, loss and love. Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Self-doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-doubt. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

self-doubt

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

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