SELF-DISTRUSTFUL Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

self-distrustful

adjective

Definition of self-distrustful

as in insecure

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-distrustful

Adjective

Luis Enrique was insecure in his position at Barcelona at the end of 2014 before going on to win the treble that season.

— Gregg Evans, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Adam Stanaland, a psychology professor at the University of Richmond, told me that what’s concerning is when insecure men feel pressured to validate their manhood by harming others.

— Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026

Definition of insecure

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

Football is a physical sport, one where an athlete can’t play scared, timid, being cautious, and needs to give his all on every snap.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Min-ji now understands more about her father’s past and motivations, and no longer sees him as a timid man who would rather bow than fight.

— Kayti Burt, Time, 27 July 2026

Definition of timid

Adjective

This is just one of many, many kinky situations Hoffman encounters as Elliot, a meek, wide-eyed college graduate who enters into a sadomasochistic relationship with gallery owner Erika Tracey (Olivia Wilde).

— Anna Tingley, Variety, 31 July 2026
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has never been a meek man, but his results of late — four or more losses in each of the last three seasons — spark worry about the health of his program after a dominant eight-year stretch prior.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of meek

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

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.

Browse Nearby Words

self-distrust

self-distrustful

self-doubt

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Self-distrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-distrustful. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of self-distrustful

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

invidious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes