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

The critical brain is still zonked, and along with it, its pesky sidekicks, self-doubt and anxiety. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Even as these exhilarating talents have reenergized the game and risen above their peers, they’ve been brought low by injuries, doping scandals, and self-doubt. — Josh Levin, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026

This self-doubt contributes to women's underrepresentation in leadership roles. — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Expressing yourself may require jumping a few self-doubt hurdles. — Usa Today, USA Today, 23 June 2026

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