self-deceived

American  

[self-di-seevd, self-] / ˈsɛlf dɪˈsivd, ˌsɛlf- /

adjective

1. holding an erroneous opinion of oneself, one's own effort, or the like.

2. being mistaken, forming an erroneous judgment, etc., in one's own mind, as from careless or wishful thinking.

   If you thought my friendship was love, you were self-deceived.

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Etymology

Origin of self-deceived

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

When they are not merely self-deceived, Strout’s characters struggle with isolation and despair.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Maybe I’m no less self-deceived than anyone else.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 28, 2019

We know Mumler was a fraud, but we don’t know what kind of fraud — self-deceived true believer, confidence man or both?

From New York Times • Nov. 2, 2017

Beatrice and Benedick are self-deceived in that they believe their heads can sternly rule their hearts.

From Time Magazine Archive

Admit, then, for a moment, that he is self-deceived, under some strong delusion, and that the object of which he is in pursuit is but a phantom.

From Old Groans and New Songs Being Meditations on the Book of Ecclesiastes by Jennings, Frederick Charles