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
With his sharp-tongued, Vespa-riding producer Sadaf by his side, Bahram embarks on an underground mission to showcase his film to an Iranian audience, dodging government censors, absurd bureaucracy, and his own self-doubts.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 25 July 2025
When the smoke clears, success mixes with sorrow, and both Tamar and Kamali are once again mired in self-doubt over whether their choices, however necessary for the mission, have compromised their humanity.
—Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2025
Their childhood competitiveness grows into an adult professional envy: Where Maria meets easy success as a filmmaker, Ruth’s path is more complicated, riddled with self-doubt and jealousy.
—Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 22 July 2025
Your ego probably even got bruised while the self-doubt set in, especially as a creative.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 22 July 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.
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 25 July 2025
When the smoke clears, success mixes with sorrow, and both Tamar and Kamali are once again mired in self-doubt over whether their choices, however necessary for the mission, have compromised their humanity.
—Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2025
Their childhood competitiveness grows into an adult professional envy: Where Maria meets easy success as a filmmaker, Ruth’s path is more complicated, riddled with self-doubt and jealousy.
—Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 22 July 2025
Your ego probably even got bruised while the self-doubt set in, especially as a creative.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 22 July 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 28 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share