flagellation

noun

flag·​el·​la·​tion ˌfla-jə-ˈlā-shən 

: the act or practice of flagellating

especially : the practice of a flagellant

Examples of flagellation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the evenings, back to flagellation. —Dennard Dayle, The New Yorker, 22 July 2022

Justification, not evisceration or flagellation. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2023

These excerpts show us a different side of the singer, one prone to self-flagellation and aware of her need to treat her health challenges — both mental and physical — as friends instead of adversaries. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Nov. 2022

In the same period, another method for treating impotence was flagellation. —Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2012

This and other occasions when Mr. Bazerman admits his own complicity might look like harsh self-flagellation: After all, his errors were all understandable and often driven by good motives. —Julian Baggini, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2022

And the self-flagellation doesn't preclude a little self-flattery, either—especially in the home stretch, when all the hard lessons at last give way to an act of budding-artist integrity. —A.a. Dowd, Chron, 3 Nov. 2022

Soloist Elliot Hammans oscillates between majestic technique and contorted self-flagellation, thrusting his chest, pounding the stage or repeatedly assuming a Christ-like posture of pronated knees and arms outstretched. —Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 30 Sep. 2022

So does self-flagellation, which Jude and Marek ecstatically perform. —New York Times, 13 June 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing flagellation

• self-flagellation

• self-flagellation

Medical Definition

flagellation

1 of 2 noun

flag·​el·​la·​tion ˌflaj-ə-ˈlā-shən 

: the practice of a flagellant

flagellation

2 of 2 noun

: the formation or arrangement of flagella