self-criticism

American

[self-krit-uh-siz-uhm, self-] / ˌsɛlfˈkrɪt əˌsɪz əm, ˈsɛlf- /

noun

the act or fact of being self-critical.

self-criticism British

noun

unfavourable or severe judgement of oneself, one's abilities, one's actions, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of self-criticism

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Our future depends on whether we have the courage to rise to the level of self-criticism King demanded—and the moral discipline our ancestors exemplified.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

In many cases, harsh self-criticism can take on a life all its own.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 2, 2025

Motherhood has made Slate gentler on herself, sloughing off feelings of foolishness, self-criticism and self-doubt.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2024

Leclerc is renowned for his self-criticism, and Vasseur is someone he can bounce off.

From BBC • Jul. 18, 2024

At the end of the day, it was a gathering place for long sessions of self-criticism.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023