self-doubt

American  

[self-dout] / ˈsɛlfˈdaʊt /

noun

1. lack of confidence in the reliability of one's own motives, personality, thought, etc.

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self-doubt British  

noun

1. the act or state of doubting oneself

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Other Word Forms

• self-doubting adjective

Etymology

Origin of self-doubt

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

I wanted that, to have all my self-doubt and insecurity gone.

From Literature

That anecdote tells you a great deal about This Music May Contain Hope, a concept album about overcoming heartbreak and self-doubt and internet trolls and stupid men.

From BBC

"The self-doubt and the knocks to your confidence, those were the hardest things I've had to go through in my career."

From BBC

In the space of 100 seconds on the slopes of Cortina, the greatest skier of all time had banished eight years of Olympic misery, nightmares, and self-doubt to become a champion again.

From The Wall Street Journal

All the self-doubt Scotland owned now transfers to England.

From BBC

Related Words

• uncertainty