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

Example Sentences

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

She set up her first group in a church hall in Alfreton in 1969, to help people with both their weight and with "the sometimes far heavier burden of shame and self-criticism".

From BBC • Feb. 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

In November, not long after Park was assigned to the textile factory, four Bowiwon guards paid a surprise visit to the prisoners’ nightly meeting of self-criticism.

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