self-deception
noun
self-de·cep·tion
ˌself-di-ˈsep-shən 
plural self-deceptions
: the act or an instance of deceiving oneself or the state of being deceived by oneself especially concerning one's true nature, feelings, etc.
the capacity for self-deception
Over time, [Henry] Marsh writes, many doctors start to internalize the stories they tell themselves about their superior judgment and skill. But the best, he adds, unlearn their self-deceptions, and come to accept their fallibility and learn from their mistakes.—
Jennifer Senior
Jennifer SeniorExamples of self-deception in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Opinion The West’s self-deception on Ukraine should not extend to Hungary’s Orban
Opinion
A migrant surge is driving Europe to the right — and centrists are flailing
Opinion
The far right keeps rising.
—Lee Hockstader, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
Her self-deception is the foundational falsehood in the maelstrom of lies and misdeeds that spews forth over more than 300 pages.
—Vanessa Armstrong, The Atlantic, 17 June 2024
But the subterfuge, masking or self-deception isn’t limited to answering questions by authority figures.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2024
In The Curse, her character Whitney’s belief in her own charm is just one of her many self-deceptions.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2024
Today, those warnings deserve attention, especially given the recklessness, hubris, and self-deception that Trump displays daily.
—Andrew J. Bacevich, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
As the moon and Neptune clash, self-deception is your biggest stumbling block.
—USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
In the trial, SBF’s self-deceptions finally hit reality.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
As the moon and Neptune clash, self-deception stirs up drama in your love life.
—USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
Lee Hockstader, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
Her self-deception is the foundational falsehood in the maelstrom of lies and misdeeds that spews forth over more than 300 pages.
—Vanessa Armstrong, The Atlantic, 17 June 2024
But the subterfuge, masking or self-deception isn’t limited to answering questions by authority figures.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2024
In The Curse, her character Whitney’s belief in her own charm is just one of her many self-deceptions.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2024
Today, those warnings deserve attention, especially given the recklessness, hubris, and self-deception that Trump displays daily.
—Andrew J. Bacevich, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
As the moon and Neptune clash, self-deception is your biggest stumbling block.
—USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
In the trial, SBF’s self-deceptions finally hit reality.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
As the moon and Neptune clash, self-deception stirs up drama in your love life.
—USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-deception.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near self-deception
Cite this Entry
“Self-deception.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-deception. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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