self-doubt
noun
plural self-doubts
: a lack of faith in oneself : a feeling of doubt or uncertainty about one's abilities, actions, etc.
plagued with/by self-doubt
overcame her self-doubts
The man who comes through the pages of this straightforwardly written autobiography is eminently human, full of self-doubt about his personal life and his career …—
Walter Goodman
Walter GoodmanExamples of self-doubt in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The story is halting, its end inevitable; it’s also couched in self-doubt, second-guessing, disbelief.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025
Mitski does it too, singing desire and self-doubt like secrets passed from one insomniac to another.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025
Nevertheless, setting high standards for parenting, even unrealistic ones, can bring some benefits—as long as the parent is not weighed down by self-doubt and criticism, Sirois found in her analysis.
—Francine Russo, Scientific American, 24 June 2025
There’s something about his ability to be both hypersensitive and judgmental, ambitious and full of self-doubt, dark and laugh-out-loud funny that has influenced my writing and thinking.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-doubt
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025
Mitski does it too, singing desire and self-doubt like secrets passed from one insomniac to another.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025
Nevertheless, setting high standards for parenting, even unrealistic ones, can bring some benefits—as long as the parent is not weighed down by self-doubt and criticism, Sirois found in her analysis.
—Francine Russo, Scientific American, 24 June 2025
There’s something about his ability to be both hypersensitive and judgmental, ambitious and full of self-doubt, dark and laugh-out-loud funny that has influenced my writing and thinking.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-doubt
Cite this Entry
“Self-doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-doubt. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share