self-flagellation
noun
self-flag·el·la·tion
ˌself-ˌfla-jə-ˈlā-shən 
: extreme criticism of oneself
Examples of self-flagellation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some of the attendees catch on and quickly bolt, but there’s still a small group left when Walsh pulls out a box of whips and paddles so that people can engage in self-flagellation.
—
Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
At launch, there are two online multiplayer modes that ratchet up the competitive spirit beyond basic self-flagellation.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2024
In Trump’s fateful moment, all his endless self-flagellation about how strong and tough he is consolidated into a single iconic image that goes far beyond capturing everything that he’s ever said about his own courage.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2024
The movement was also the first among Palestinian groups to adopt Shiite rituals such as Day of Ashura, which includes self-flagellation, a practice never before observed in the Gaza Strip.
—Ehud Yaari, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2015
The goal is self-improvement, not self-flagellation.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2023
When his mother uses the incorrect pronouns, her dramatic self-flagellation reorients the situation so Sam must comfort her.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
The default demeanor that accompanies Murray’s grueling physical play has always looked something like misery, peppered with a near-constant verbal self-flagellation that pulls spectators into his battle.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 2 July 2023
The church’s new attention to its complex past is not an exercise in self-flagellation, Waters said, but rather an acknowledgment that its story — and Boston’s, too — are more layered and fraught than many people realize.
—Brian MacQuarrie, BostonGlobe.com, 18 June 2023
Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
At launch, there are two online multiplayer modes that ratchet up the competitive spirit beyond basic self-flagellation.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2024
In Trump’s fateful moment, all his endless self-flagellation about how strong and tough he is consolidated into a single iconic image that goes far beyond capturing everything that he’s ever said about his own courage.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2024
The movement was also the first among Palestinian groups to adopt Shiite rituals such as Day of Ashura, which includes self-flagellation, a practice never before observed in the Gaza Strip.
—Ehud Yaari, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2015
The goal is self-improvement, not self-flagellation.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2023
When his mother uses the incorrect pronouns, her dramatic self-flagellation reorients the situation so Sam must comfort her.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
The default demeanor that accompanies Murray’s grueling physical play has always looked something like misery, peppered with a near-constant verbal self-flagellation that pulls spectators into his battle.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 2 July 2023
The church’s new attention to its complex past is not an exercise in self-flagellation, Waters said, but rather an acknowledgment that its story — and Boston’s, too — are more layered and fraught than many people realize.
—Brian MacQuarrie, BostonGlobe.com, 18 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-flagellation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Self-flagellation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-flagellation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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