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

Examples of self-doubt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Social media, in particular, is driven by the immense pressure for users to paint a picture of their lives that impresses, leads to self-doubt and eventual loss of hope. Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 5 June 2025 Don’t let perfectionism or self-doubt keep your story on the shelf. Adrian Gostick, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 While feelings of self-doubt might arise, don’t let others’ opinions deter you from pursuing your goals. Essence, 2 June 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 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-doubt

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-doubt was in 1847

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-doubt. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

self-doubt

noun
ˈself-ˈdau̇t
: a lack of faith in oneself
self-doubting
-iŋ
adjective

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