self-distrust
Americannoun
-
lack of confidence in oneself, in one's abilities, etc.
Other Word Forms
- self-distrustful adjective
- self-distrusting adjective
Etymology
Origin of self-distrust
First recorded in 1780–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His everlasting self-distrust, compensatory self-assertion, slowness and difficulty with his medium they freely concede.
From Time Magazine Archive
For by humility I do not mean a neurotic self-contempt or self-distrust, though there are forms of Christian, as of nonChristian, neurosis.
From Time Magazine Archive
If you feed the habits of insecurity, worry, procrastination, fear, doubt, and self-distrust, they will continue to flock around you.
From Time Magazine Archive
And the weary old round of self-distrust, depreciation and contempt went its sorry cycle once again.
From Cupid in Africa by Wren, P. C.
That self-distrust which so eminently characterised him before God, was immediately roused.
From The Legendary and Poetical Remains of John Roby author of 'Traditions of Lancashire', with a sketch of his literary life and character by Roby, John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.