self-criticism

American  

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

noun

1. the act or fact of being self-critical.

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self-criticism British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of self-criticism

First recorded in 1855–60

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

self-criticism

A common and mostly true dictum holds that democratic societies possess a capacity for self-criticism and self-correction that autocracies don’t.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 2, 2025

She was relentless with her self-criticism, always finding some minor gaffe to ruminate on.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 2, 2025

Kemi Badenoch has insisted she is "going to get better" as Conservative leader, saying she is not "shy about self-criticism".

From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2025

That evening, Shin went with his mother to an “ideological struggle” meeting, a compulsory gathering for self-criticism.

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

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