self-distrust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "self-distrust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of confidence in one's own abilities or judgment. Example: "Her self-distrust often held her back from pursuing new opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Yet his poems, though cramped by pessimism and self-distrust, do reach out.

The New Yorker

** Yet his poems, though cramped by pessimism and self-distrust, do reach out.

The New Yorker

The curious blend of obstinate determination with self-distrust, a feature of his maturity, was already evident.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Self-loathing and self-distrust lurk in his work with somatic unease; he is the forbear of modern man's sense of dread.

The New Yorker

I have searched myself to see whether I have ever spent such an anxious time, so full of yearning, so full of self-distrust, and I don't think I have.

The New Yorker

Moreover, on McLeod's account, the self-trust necessary for autonomy is (epistemically) "justified self-trust": for instance, self-trust or self-distrust is not justified if agents overestimate or underestimate their competence in certain contexts (McLeod 2002, 104).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The social and economic decline of the American working class will only be exacerbated as its youngest members make a virtue out of self-blame, distrust and disconnection.

The New York Times

Her praise for the United States, her new home, shows a growing familiarity with right-wing touchstones (self-reliance, distrust of government, family values, gun ownership, Christianity).

The New Yorker

Results suggested that participants' self-professed distrust in the utility was associated with significantly lower willingness to register for the DLC program.

Applied Energy

To specifically examine the relationship between self-reported distrust and willingness to participate, and how this relationship might be influenced, the survey included an unobtrusive experimental manipulation: a simple two-sentence message designed to rebuild consumer trust and confidence in the utility was conveyed to a randomly-selected subsample of participants.

Applied Energy

But it's another lesson in distrusting self-selecting samples.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "self-distrust", consider the context. If a more active voice is appropriate, rephrase as "distrust of oneself" or "lack of trust in one's abilities".

Common error

Avoid overuse of abstract nouns like "self-distrust" in writing. While grammatically correct, too many abstract terms can make your writing vague and less engaging. Replace the nominalization with a verb to clarify the meaning and make your writing more dynamic, e.g., instead of "His self-distrust hindered his progress", write "He distrusted himself, which hindered his progress".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "self-distrust" functions primarily as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to represent a state or feeling of lacking confidence in oneself.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "self-distrust" is a valid and usable term that describes a lack of confidence in one's own abilities or judgement. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. While not overly frequent, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and encyclopedias, indicating a neutral to formal register. Related terms include "self-doubt" and "lack of self-confidence". When using "self-distrust", consider varying your language to avoid overuse of abstract nouns and actively express your ideas. Recognizing its grammatical correctness and considering its context will help you use the term effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of self-confidence

Replaces "distrust" with a more general term for absence of confidence.

self-doubt

A direct synonym, focusing on doubt about one's self.

lack of faith in oneself

Emphasizes a lack of belief in one's abilities.

insecurity

Focuses on the feeling of being unsafe or unstable in one's own abilities.

want of self-assurance

Highlights the absence of confident behavior.

feeling inadequate

Focuses on the subjective experience of not being good enough.

lack of self-esteem

Points to a low opinion of oneself.

diffidence

Describes shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence.

unbelief in one's capabilities

Specifically targets a disbelief in what one is capable of achieving.

absence of self-reliance

Highlights the inability to depend on oneself.

FAQs

How can I use "self-distrust" in a sentence?

You can use "self-distrust" to describe a lack of confidence in one's abilities or judgment. For example: "Her self-distrust often held her back from pursuing new opportunities."

What are some synonyms for "self-distrust"?

Some synonyms for "self-distrust" include "self-doubt", "lack of self-confidence", and "insecurity".

Is "self-distrust" the same as "self-doubt"?

"Self-distrust" and "self-doubt" are very similar. "Self-distrust" emphasizes a lack of trust in one's capabilities, while "self-doubt" highlights uncertainty and questioning of one's abilities or decisions. They are often interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to use "self-distrust" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "self-distrust" when you want to emphasize a lack of confidence or a feeling of inadequacy in one's own abilities or judgment. It works well in formal writing and psychological analyses where nuanced descriptions of internal states are required.