Meaning & use
self-deceit
Last updated
UK/ˌself dɪˈsiːt/
US/ˌself dɪˈsiːt/
Meaning
noununcountable
The act of allowing yourself to believe something that is not true, usually to avoid an unpleasant truth.
Grammar: Uncountable; no plural. Often used after verbs like 'live in' or 'be guilty of'.
Patterns
- live in self-deceit
- be guilty of self-deceit
His self-deceit about his health led to serious problems.
She was tired of living in self-deceit and finally faced the facts.
The novel explores themes of self-deceit and regret.
Common combinations
- a form of self-deceit
- Believing he could pass without studying was a form of self-deceit.
- live in self-deceit
- They lived in self-deceit, ignoring the warning signs.
- self-deceit and denial
- His self-deceit and denial kept him from seeking help.
Synonyms and how they differ
- self-deception
- This is the everyday, neutral term; self-deceit sounds more formal or literary.
- denial
- Denial is refusing to accept a fact; self-deceit is actively believing a falsehood.
Opposites
self-awarenesshonesty
Word family
- self-deceiving adjective
- Allowing yourself to believe untrue things.
- deceit noun
- The act of deceiving others; dishonesty.
Commonly confused: self-deceit or self-deception?
self-deceit vs self-deception
Same meaning, but self-deception is more common and less formal.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'self-deceit' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Self-deceit is a noun meaning believing your own lies. The other options use it as a verb or with wrong grammar.
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