self-critical
adjective
self-crit·i·cal
ˌself-ˈkri-ti-kəl 
: inclined to find fault with oneself : critical of oneself
a self-critical perfectionist
… helping patients identify and challenge pessimistic or self-critical thoughts that cause or perpetuate depression.—
Mary A. Whooley
Mary A. WhooleyExamples of self-critical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brooding rumination involves passively dwelling on negative feelings, usually in a self-critical loop.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Her self-critical editing generated a great deal of confusion.
—Susan Gubar
june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025
Avery, a shy and self-critical perfectionist, is drawn to Taylor but wary of her reputation as a heartbreaker.
—Diya Chacko, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2025
But the interview revealed Francis as a complex, brooding figure—a Catholic whose deep faith seemed personal more than theological or institutional, and a cleric who was at once self-critical and critical of the Church he had been elected to lead.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
To move forward with compassion, challenge self-critical thoughts.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Hendriksen said that some people are simply wired to be self-critical.
—Andrea Kane, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
Farke discussed how self-critical Meslier is last week.
—Beren Cross, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
And where the confident, outgoing Navarro was comfortable being the center of attention, Avery was a reserved bookish subversive, and quietly self-critical.
—Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
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Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Her self-critical editing generated a great deal of confusion.
—Susan Gubar
june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025
Avery, a shy and self-critical perfectionist, is drawn to Taylor but wary of her reputation as a heartbreaker.
—Diya Chacko, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2025
But the interview revealed Francis as a complex, brooding figure—a Catholic whose deep faith seemed personal more than theological or institutional, and a cleric who was at once self-critical and critical of the Church he had been elected to lead.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
To move forward with compassion, challenge self-critical thoughts.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Hendriksen said that some people are simply wired to be self-critical.
—Andrea Kane, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
Farke discussed how self-critical Meslier is last week.
—Beren Cross, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
And where the confident, outgoing Navarro was comfortable being the center of attention, Avery was a reserved bookish subversive, and quietly self-critical.
—Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Self-critical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-critical. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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