self-doubt

[ self-dout ]

noun

1. lack of confidence in the reliability of one's own motives, personality, thought, etc.

self-doubt

noun

1. the act or state of doubting oneself

Other Words From

• self-doubting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-doubt¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Stephanie Giorgio, a classical musician, credits The Class for helping her cope with anxiety, focus, fear, and self-doubt.

From The Daily Beast

But self-doubt, while a healthy quality for human beings to have, is alas not a plus for politicians.

From The Daily Beast

His self-doubt prompts him to exert more control and project bitterness.

From The Daily Beast

The brightest luminaries are waking up to painful hangovers, and, we imagine, crippling self-doubt.

From The Daily Beast

Go to work, board a plane or train if you were planning to travel—do not indulge in fear or self-doubt.

From The Daily Beast

Now indeed I felt a sickness of self-doubt, for the wash of the invisible sea never had come to me until tonight.

From Project Gutenberg

Peter was very tender-hearted, very sympathetic, very prone to self-doubt.

From Project Gutenberg

If he were naturally observant, he would see this; if he were given at all to self-doubt, he would feel it.

From Project Gutenberg

Even Hildas morbid self-doubt could not deny the essential truth of this point of view.

From Project Gutenberg

Far from antagonizing, Periors judgment had aroused in her an anxious self-doubt, an anxious respect for her candid critic.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• uncertainty