self-criticism
noun
self-crit·i·cism
ˌself-ˈkri-tə-ˌsi-zəm 
plural self-criticisms
: the act of or capacity for criticizing one's own faults or shortcomings
To impress friends and potential employers, avoid complimenting yourself and trying to disguise it as self-criticism.—
Shana Lebowitz
Shana Lebowitz… he's learned discipline, beneficial self-criticism … and the ability to develop a regimen in his day-to-day life.—Hillary Gavan
Hillary Gavan
Examples of self-criticism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Intense feelings of self-doubt, self-criticism and self-sabotage can feel as if your brain is picking you apart.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
But sometimes, self-criticism is necessary to make peace.
—Dominic Tierney, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2024
This practice allows individuals to approach their own vulnerability with understanding and acceptance, helping to mitigate feelings of self-criticism and discomfort.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
Marxism promotes self-criticism, and when applied to real politics has tended to lead to purges.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
Other facets might take more time to develop, such as nourishing supportive relationships, building skills for tolerating distress and regulating emotions, meditation, incorporating spirituality or religion and practicing less self-criticism and more self-compassion.
—Rachel Goldsmith Turow, Discover Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024
Jenkins recalled hating the unrelenting scrutiny and self-criticism sessions, an indoctrination ritual in which citizens reprimand themselves for failing to live up to Kim’s ideology.
—Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Jan. 2024
If Evangelicalism were immune from self-criticism, that would indeed be a major problem.
—Andrew T. Walker, National Review, 31 Dec. 2023
Alam’s blend of optimism and self-criticism is relatable to any of us who fantasize about the new and improved version of ourselves that awaits us on the other side of the ball drop.
—Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2023
Mark Travers, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
But sometimes, self-criticism is necessary to make peace.
—Dominic Tierney, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2024
This practice allows individuals to approach their own vulnerability with understanding and acceptance, helping to mitigate feelings of self-criticism and discomfort.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
Marxism promotes self-criticism, and when applied to real politics has tended to lead to purges.
—Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
Other facets might take more time to develop, such as nourishing supportive relationships, building skills for tolerating distress and regulating emotions, meditation, incorporating spirituality or religion and practicing less self-criticism and more self-compassion.
—Rachel Goldsmith Turow, Discover Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024
Jenkins recalled hating the unrelenting scrutiny and self-criticism sessions, an indoctrination ritual in which citizens reprimand themselves for failing to live up to Kim’s ideology.
—Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Jan. 2024
If Evangelicalism were immune from self-criticism, that would indeed be a major problem.
—Andrew T. Walker, National Review, 31 Dec. 2023
Alam’s blend of optimism and self-criticism is relatable to any of us who fantasize about the new and improved version of ourselves that awaits us on the other side of the ball drop.
—Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-criticism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1780, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near self-criticism
Cite this Entry
“Self-criticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-criticism. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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