self-criticism
noun
self-crit·i·cism
ˌself-ˈkri-tə-ˌsi-zəm 
plural self-criticisms
: the act of or capacity for criticizing one's own faults or shortcomings
To impress friends and potential employers, avoid complimenting yourself and trying to disguise it as self-criticism.—
Shana Lebowitz
Shana Lebowitz… he's learned discipline, beneficial self-criticism … and the ability to develop a regimen in his day-to-day life.—Hillary Gavan
Hillary GavanExamples of self-criticism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The clean prose, self-criticism, and psychological insight give Young Man in a Hurry a reason to exist beyond legitimizing a book tour through the early-primary and swing states.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
The Thursday before that, they were thrashed 4-0 at Atletico Madrid in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg — a defeat that prompted significant self-criticism and reflection on their style of play.
—Pol Ballús, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
But what seems to be lacking is any sense of humility or self-criticism.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Loving-kindness and mindful democracy Clinical research shows that loving-kindness meditation has a positive effect on mental health, including lessening anxiety and depression, increasing life satisfaction and improving self-acceptance while reducing self-criticism.
—Jeremy David Engels, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
Anyone who fantasizes about the new and improved version of themselves that awaits on the other side of the ball drop can relate to the special blend of optimism and self-criticism that the New Year often holds.
—Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2025
The ruthless annihilating self-criticism silenced by looking into your big brown eyes, a mirror and a time machine.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Even chavismo itself, through Cabello, showed Maduro its dissatisfaction with the result and called for self-criticism.
—Inés Capdevila, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
The moon’s clash with Mercury inspires self-reflection (and self-criticism)!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
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Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
The Thursday before that, they were thrashed 4-0 at Atletico Madrid in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg — a defeat that prompted significant self-criticism and reflection on their style of play.
—Pol Ballús, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
But what seems to be lacking is any sense of humility or self-criticism.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Loving-kindness and mindful democracy Clinical research shows that loving-kindness meditation has a positive effect on mental health, including lessening anxiety and depression, increasing life satisfaction and improving self-acceptance while reducing self-criticism.
—Jeremy David Engels, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
Anyone who fantasizes about the new and improved version of themselves that awaits on the other side of the ball drop can relate to the special blend of optimism and self-criticism that the New Year often holds.
—Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2025
The ruthless annihilating self-criticism silenced by looking into your big brown eyes, a mirror and a time machine.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Even chavismo itself, through Cabello, showed Maduro its dissatisfaction with the result and called for self-criticism.
—Inés Capdevila, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
The moon’s clash with Mercury inspires self-reflection (and self-criticism)!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-criticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-criticism. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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