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

Examples of self-critical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Uneasy feelings activate self-critical thoughts as the moon agitates Chiron. — Usa Today, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

OpenAI’s detailed, self-critical account of pausing its own model functions as a claim to that same safety-conscious ground, whether or not that was the intent behind it. — Ashish Bhatia, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

In the twilight of their lives, the Harlemite partners in crime are now more self-critical than ever before. — Niela Orr, Vulture, 20 July 2026

Resurrection Dex’s Resurrection is an uncomfortably honest and self-critical mixtape about the British rapper attempting to reform his crooked ways. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-critical

• levitical
• noncritical
• political
• subcritical
• uncritical
• analytical
• apolitical
• diacritical
• hypercritical
• hypocritical
• nonpolitical
• parasitical