self-doubt

noun

plural self-doubts
Synonyms of self-doubtnext
: 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
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Nasir Uddin Khan gives a performance of sturdy, man-of-the-people authority, gradually slipping into nervy self-doubt, as Jahir, a high school history teacher popular with both his students and the general community in the small rural town of Mohoganj. Guy Lodge, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026 At times paralyzed by self-doubt and criticism, Donatella believed in the life-changing magic of a great cocktail dress (or a good hair day) to elevate or protect yourself. Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026 Silence the self-doubt and prepare to be recognized! Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026 These performances, which include plenty of great one-liners and physical gags but also unearth subtler shades of frustration and self-doubt, are some of my favorites of hers. Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-doubt

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-doubt was in 1847

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-doubt. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

self-doubt

noun
ˈself-ˈdau̇t
: a lack of faith in oneself
self-doubting
-iŋ
adjective

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