self-doubt

noun

ˌself-ˈdau̇t 

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

Examples of self-doubt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Deep breathing helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, calming your mind and body, which can create more clarity and emotional control in moments of self-doubt or stress. —Luciana Paulise, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Murphy said that knowledge like this is a critical defense against self-doubt, but also against the potential for identity erasure. —Anne Kniggendorf, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2025

Both films center a young teen underdog who overcomes self-doubt and bullying through martial arts. —Devonne Goode, Parents, 8 May 2025

The Judgement card suggests a reckoning, a powerful wake-up call to rise into your purpose and release guilt, regret, or self-doubt. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-doubt

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

self-doubt

noun

ˈself-ˈdau̇t

: a lack of faith in oneself

self-doubting

-iŋ

adjective