self-distrust

American  

[self-dis-truhst, self-] / ˈsɛlf dɪsˈtrʌst, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. lack of confidence in oneself, in one's abilities, etc.

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Other Word Forms

• self-distrustful adjective
• self-distrusting adjective

Etymology

Origin of self-distrust

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

As Walsh points out, Debussy’s self-distrust considerably slowed his productivity, as he tested “every chord and chord sequence, every rhythm, every colour for their precise effect.”

From The New Yorker

Shy he would always be, but in place of his boyish self-distrust had come a quiet confidence in his own powers.

From Project Gutenberg

This spirit nourishes in him a wholesome self-distrust, and watchfulness over his temper and motives.—The meek man thinks as little of his personal claims, as the humble man of his personal merits.

From Project Gutenberg

The act has been characterised as the culmination of a certain tendency in English constitutional development; as the expression of self-distrust on the part of the monarch; and much more.

From Project Gutenberg

By-and-by my absurd self-distrust passed away, and I began to feel once more equal to the occasion.

From Project Gutenberg