self-critical
Americanadjective
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capable of criticizing oneself objectively.
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tending to find fault with one's own actions, motives, etc.
adjective
Other Word Forms
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.
"We have to be self-critical, we didn't play a great game, we have to improve, but now we have to rest and charge our batteries."
From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026
"I'm a fierce perfectionist and there is an overactive, hugely self-critical voice in my head - my whole life is an exercise in trying to shake that," he says.
From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025
Practicing calligraphy helped make Ms. Edralin aware of self-critical thoughts that had become ingrained in her internal dialogue.
From New York Times • May 29, 2024
I’m very self-critical, and while I don’t want to value my work solely by monetary meaning, it’s hard to ignore that no matter how successful you’ve been or appear to be.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2024
As usual he was organized, forward-thinking, and self-critical.
From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
