self-delusion

American  

[self-di-loo-zhuhn, self-] / ˈsɛlf dɪˈlu ʒən, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. the act or fact of deluding oneself.

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self-delusion British  

noun

1. the act or state of deceiving or deluding oneself

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Other Word Forms

• self-deluded
  adjective
• self-deluding
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of self-delusion

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

Asked Wednesday about his abysmal polling results among women, he responded with characteristic self delusion: “The numbers aren’t good, not as good as they were, but nobody respects women more than I do.”

From The Guardian • Mar. 31, 2016

I certainly hope some of your comments manage to piece their self delusion but doubt that it will.

From BusinessWeek • Nov. 21, 2011

I would describe them as spoilt and flattered to the point of self delusion.

From The Guardian • May 30, 2010

Now, self delusion was no longer possible; the report of his gun had blown away the last rays of it forever.

From Princess by McClelland, M. G. (Mary Greenway)

Or if they be but false alarms of Fear, How bitter is such self delusion?

From The Poetical Works of John Milton by Milton, John