Skip to main content
self-doubt

self-doubt

21 4.6
Not feeling sure about what you can do or your decisions
  • noun
  • /sɛlf-daʊt/
translation icon : inseguridad
  • She experienced self-doubt before her presentation, but she managed to succeed.
  • self-doubt and fear
  • self-doubt and frustration
  • self-doubt and failure

So then the anger turns into worry, self doubt and self blame.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • The medication was designed to suppress the chemicals in the brain responsible for self-doubt.

  • I, on the other hand, let my self-doubt and fear dictate my actions.

    Academic text (2008)
  • So what, what role does self doubt play in your life?

  • So the more self doubt you have, the better the idea is, right?

  • But the truth is that you cannot create anything of value without both self doubt and self belief.

  • So then the anger turns into worry, self doubt and self blame.

  • I can remember thinking: why is this so difficult for me and where did this self-doubt come from?

    Academic text (2008)
  • I know what it means to feel self-doubt.

  • It has some really interesting ideas and one of them is to accept self doubt and imperfection.

  • A therapist helped her understand the negative self-doubts that plagued her.

    Fiction book (2001)

Synonyms

doubt
vsself-doubt
1.6

A feeling of not being sure about something

is specifically about lacking confidence in oneself and in personal decisions
insecurity
vsself-doubt
93 3.7

A feeling of not being sure about yourself or what you can do

focuses on lack of confidence in abilities or decisions rather than anxiety
diffidence
vsself-doubt
2 8.4

Shyness and lack of confidence that makes someone hesitate to speak or act

is a broader lack of confidence about abilities or decisions rather than social timidity
self-distrust
vsself-doubt
6.8

Feeling unable to rely on your own choices or skills

is a general lack of confidence in abilities or decisions
insecureness
vsself-doubt
6.8

Feeling unsure and worried about safety or the future

is mainly about lack of confidence in abilities or decisions
unsureness
vsself-doubt
3.8

A feeling of doubt or low confidence

is lack of confidence specifically about oneself, abilities, or decisions
incertitude
vsself-doubt
  • Formal
8.9

A feeling of not being sure or confident about something

is the same idea but focused on personal abilities and decisions

Antonyms

Trust in your own skills and worth

33 3.3

A feeling of confidence in your own abilities

How Insecure

insecurity
93 3.7
self-doubt
21 4.6
doubt
1.6
diffidence
2 8.4

Surface Forms

self-doubt singular
self-doubts plural

Morphology

self-doubt = self + doubt (transparent) = self + doubt

Meaning is directly formed from 'self' + 'doubt' as uncertainty about oneself, which learners can derive from the components.

Etymology

Self-doubt combines self- meaning 'your own' and doubt meaning 'not sure' or 'to hesitate'. So, self-doubt is the feeling of being unsure about your own abilities or choices.