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 GavanExamples of self-criticism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Anyone who fantasizes about the new and improved version of themselves that awaits on the other side of the ball drop can relate to the special blend of optimism and self-criticism that the New Year often holds.
—Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2025
The ruthless annihilating self-criticism silenced by looking into your big brown eyes, a mirror and a time machine.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Even chavismo itself, through Cabello, showed Maduro its dissatisfaction with the result and called for self-criticism.
—Inés Capdevila, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
The moon’s clash with Mercury inspires self-reflection (and self-criticism)!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
At the time, many top leaders, including Premier Zhou Enlai, were forced to engage in days of humiliating self-criticism and confession.
—Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2025
The Bears quarterback didn't hesitate to offer some self-criticism in his postgame remarks either.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
Reframe—Smith shares the necessity of ceasing excessive self-criticism.
—Anne Sugar, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Google Gemini has a problem with self-criticism.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
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Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2025
The ruthless annihilating self-criticism silenced by looking into your big brown eyes, a mirror and a time machine.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Even chavismo itself, through Cabello, showed Maduro its dissatisfaction with the result and called for self-criticism.
—Inés Capdevila, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
The moon’s clash with Mercury inspires self-reflection (and self-criticism)!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
At the time, many top leaders, including Premier Zhou Enlai, were forced to engage in days of humiliating self-criticism and confession.
—Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2025
The Bears quarterback didn't hesitate to offer some self-criticism in his postgame remarks either.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
Reframe—Smith shares the necessity of ceasing excessive self-criticism.
—Anne Sugar, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Google Gemini has a problem with self-criticism.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-criticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-criticism. Accessed 30 Dec. 2025.
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