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
The data bears this out for leaders, for whom the implications of excessive self-criticism can be far reaching.
—Ron Carucci, Harvard Business Review, 15 May 2025
If parents invalidate or criticize their child’s distress, that kid is more likely to react to a setback as an adult with self-criticism, rather than reflecting on what went wrong and trying to figure out the best way forward.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 7 May 2025
The sincerity keeps flowing through a vulnerable therapy discussion, where contestants candidly address jealousy, self-criticism, and repressed anger.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 May 2025
What is the responsibility of the left critic for self-criticism?
—Arielle Angel, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2025
But if your reflection is limited to replaying the negative parts of your social interactions and perpetuating feelings of shame or self-criticism, that’s less constructive, says Janeé Steele, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
—Seraphina Seow, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
French Gates told LinkedIn News in an interview that published on March 4.
Both pieces of advice share a common theme: If your self-criticism prevents you from reaching your goal, try to have patience with yourself.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
Over the years, Williams has tried to calm the paralyzing effects of his self-criticism.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
However, the perfectionist nature of Virgo can also increase the fear of making mistakes and the patterns of self-criticism that try to keep us down.
—Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2025
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Ron Carucci, Harvard Business Review, 15 May 2025
If parents invalidate or criticize their child’s distress, that kid is more likely to react to a setback as an adult with self-criticism, rather than reflecting on what went wrong and trying to figure out the best way forward.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 7 May 2025
The sincerity keeps flowing through a vulnerable therapy discussion, where contestants candidly address jealousy, self-criticism, and repressed anger.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 May 2025
What is the responsibility of the left critic for self-criticism?
—Arielle Angel, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2025
But if your reflection is limited to replaying the negative parts of your social interactions and perpetuating feelings of shame or self-criticism, that’s less constructive, says Janeé Steele, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
—Seraphina Seow, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
French Gates told LinkedIn News in an interview that published on March 4.
Both pieces of advice share a common theme: If your self-criticism prevents you from reaching your goal, try to have patience with yourself.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
Over the years, Williams has tried to calm the paralyzing effects of his self-criticism.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
However, the perfectionist nature of Virgo can also increase the fear of making mistakes and the patterns of self-criticism that try to keep us down.
—Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-criticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-criticism. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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