self-deception

IPA/ˌself dɪˈsepʃn/
KK[sˌɛlfdəsˈɛpʃən]IPA/ˌself dɪˈsepʃn/

self-deception — noun

1. the act of persuading yourself to believe something that, deep down, you know is

1.名詞B2
釋義

the act of persuading yourself to believe something that, deep down, you know is false

例句

Joaquín's belief that he could finish the project overnight was pure self-deception.

collocation: pure self-deception

Hoa insisted she loved the job, but her friends recognised it as self-deception.

同義詞
  • self-deceit

    more literary and less common; almost interchangeable with self-deception

  • self-delusion

    stronger — suggests a persistent false belief that resists correction

  • denial

    broader in scope; can refer to refusing to accept any unpleasant truth, not only about oneself

反義詞
  • self-awareness

    clear understanding of one's own character, feelings, and motives

  • self-knowledge

    honest insight into one's own nature and limitations

用法筆記

Typically uncountable. Often paired with 'sheer' or 'pure' to emphasise how complete the self-deception is.

常見錯誤

❌He lives in a self-deception about his talent.
✅He lives in self-deception about his talent.
💡'self-deception' is uncountable; use 'an act of self-deception' if you need a singular countable form.
❌She is full of self-deception about her health.
✅She is engaging in self-deception about her health.
💡we say someone 'engages in' or 'is guilty of' self-deception, not that they are 'full of' it.