self-critical

adjective

Definition of self-criticalnext
as in diffident

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of self-critical The comment comes as AWS prepares to publish what may be the most substantive piece of self-critical research to emerge from a major cloud provider this year. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 June 2026 Should Arsenal suffer the double disappointment of missing out on the Premier League and Champions League, the highly self-critical Spaniard may have doubts over whether to continue. — James McNicholas, New York Times, 5 May 2026 Sensitive and self-critical at times, this zodiac sign is deeply aware of how others perceive them — qualities that mirror her portrayal of Cassie Howard. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026 Claude is predicted to be morally aware, conscientious and able to be self-critical. — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-critical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-critical
  1. diffident
  2. egoless
  3. timid
  4. humble
  5. unassertive
Adjective
  • As the trailer tells us, the pleasantly diffident Mona (Moore) is thrown way out of orbit following an audition for a musical show.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 June 2026
  • To strangers, Kay seemed demure, diffident, even shy, an impression her youthful appearance helped create.
    — Charlotte Brooks, Big Think, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of diffident
Adjective
  • Harris describes her as being both an excited collaborator and remarkably egoless about not being at the center of the process.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Knicks then defined teamwork during their postseason surge past the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Spurs, coming together as a cohesive, egoless juggernaut.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026
Definition of egoless
Adjective
  • Souleymane, an Afro-German trans man, talented fashion designer and increasingly less timid figure on Berlin’s ballroom scene, travels to Dakar to repair his father’s kora.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • This is a great car for a timid driver, a new driver or perhaps a sensible son or daughter.
    — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of timid
Adjective
  • In May 2026, Google redesigned the humble yet powerful search box.
    — Parry Headrick, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The Charlotte native was humble and patient, his coach previously told the Observer, and in 2013 became an All-American defensive lineman at JCSU — a title the school hadn’t seen since 2008.
    — Julia Coin August 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of humble
Adjective
  • This film, so seemingly unassertive, apparently rambling and plotless, has a devastating impact and aftershock.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Avoiding is unassertive and uncooperative, where an individual tends to give up on their own needs and acquiesce to the desires of others by disengaging from the situation altogether.
    — Ellen Choi, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of unassertive

Browse Nearby Words

self-controlled
self-critical
self-denial
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-critical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-critical. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vacuous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All