1

A sample sentence would be:

I have this lingering feeling of [irrational doubt] that's discouraging me from pursuing my goals.

I've used Merriam Webster to search for synonyms for doubt but none appeared to be what I was looking for which are distrust, distrustfulness, dubiety, dubitation [archaic], incertitude, misdoubt, misgiving, mistrust, mistrustfulness, query, reservation, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainty. None of which includes the irrational part to it.

Compound word or phrase can be acceptable.

4
  • What do you mean by irrational doubt? Knowing for a fact, intellectually, that something is real, but doubting it anyway? Can you give more context? May 25, 2020 at 0:20
  • Your sample sentence refers specifically to self-confidence and not just confidence. Are you looking for a word that refers specifically to self-doubt? May 25, 2020 at 0:24
  • What do they doubt, the value of the goals or their ability to achieve them? May 27, 2020 at 10:32
  • Your own term doubt seems to fit the bill. Is there any reason why you rejected it?
    – Lawrence
    Oct 22, 2020 at 7:01

2 Answers 2

1

If the doubt is irrational, then it’s imposter syndrome:

Impostor syndrome is a psychological pattern in which one doubts one's accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud".

This phrase can be directly inserted into your example sentence.

If there’s not an element of accomplishment involved I would just say it’s just low self-esteem.

0

The nearest I can get is inadequacy

a lack of confidence that makes someone feel they are not good enough to deal with a particular situation or with life in general

Macmillan dictionary

Being a feeling, it is not rational. Being a lack of confidence, it inhibits the pursuit of goals.

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.