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

Examples of self-deception in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So far, this season has been a heady ritual of self-interrogation and self-deception for both vampires. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 2026

Still, the national capacity for self-deception has its limits, and recent developments suggest that Putin has found them. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026

Honest behavior has to do with telling the truth, but also prevents cheating, stealing, misleading, promise-breaking, fraud, self-deception, hypocrisy, BS-ing. — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026

Living in a continent-sized nation bounded by two vast oceans allows for that dangerous self-deception. — Chuck Devore, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-deception

• apperception
• contraception
• interception
• misconception
• misperception
• preconception
• conception
• deception
• exception
• inception
• perception
• reception

Kids Definition

self-deception

noun

self-de·​cep·​tion

ˌself-di-ˈsep-shən

: the act of deceiving oneself : the state of being deceived by oneself