self-loathing
noun
self-loath·ing
ˌself-ˈlō-ṯẖiŋ 
: loathing of oneself : self-hatred
acting out of fear and self-loathing
… the idea that the self-absorption and egotism of the narcissist are a pose to mask their opposite: a deep well of self-loathing and low self-esteem.—
Jeffrey Kluger
Jeffrey Kluger
self-loathing
adjective
… his life as a self-loathing sensualist, an incautious but easily damaged artist …
—A. L. Kennedy
A. L. Kennedy
… stars as a self-loathing English writer who writes Hollywood sitcoms for his actress wife …
—Giselle Benatar
Giselle Benatar
Examples of self-loathing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some of Swift's best work comes from her self-deprecating moods, and this track, with its self-loathing but super catchy lyrics, is no exception.
—Seija Rankin, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2024
Lynch is nuanced enough to make Frank a memorably self-loathing villain instead of a one-note stooge, which ultimately makes the show more rewarding as a drama than as comedy.
—Chris Klimek, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Tired of the self-loathing, restriction and bingeing, Whitney sought therapy at 22 years old, when transitioning out of college, and was prescribed an appetite suppressant.
—Audrey Richardson and Aurora Sousanis, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
That second album was To See the Next Part of the Dream, filled with soaring music and self-loathing lyrics (delivered in Korean but translated to English in the Bandcamp liner notes).
—James Gui, Pitchfork, 28 Mar. 2024
Music is a great way to teach children about the important things in life — love and loss, hope and sadness, the power of people, and absolutely debilitating, destructive self-loathing and masochism.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2024
Now is the time Hollywood is selling American self-loathing.
—Armond White, National Review, 13 Mar. 2024
Although in fairness, a big part of journalism is trying to balance arrogance, doubt and self-loathing and channeling the incongruity into your work.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2024
Some listeners would see The Downward Spiral as a loose concept album about a man falling apart, not unlike Roger Waters’ self-loathing megalomania that fuelled Pink Floyd’s The Wall—another major influence on the album, although Reznor would offer no conclusive ending to his narrative.
—Adam Steiner, SPIN, 8 Mar. 2024
Seija Rankin, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2024
Lynch is nuanced enough to make Frank a memorably self-loathing villain instead of a one-note stooge, which ultimately makes the show more rewarding as a drama than as comedy.
—Chris Klimek, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Tired of the self-loathing, restriction and bingeing, Whitney sought therapy at 22 years old, when transitioning out of college, and was prescribed an appetite suppressant.
—Audrey Richardson and Aurora Sousanis, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
That second album was To See the Next Part of the Dream, filled with soaring music and self-loathing lyrics (delivered in Korean but translated to English in the Bandcamp liner notes).
—James Gui, Pitchfork, 28 Mar. 2024
Music is a great way to teach children about the important things in life — love and loss, hope and sadness, the power of people, and absolutely debilitating, destructive self-loathing and masochism.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2024
Now is the time Hollywood is selling American self-loathing.
—Armond White, National Review, 13 Mar. 2024
Although in fairness, a big part of journalism is trying to balance arrogance, doubt and self-loathing and channeling the incongruity into your work.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2024
Some listeners would see The Downward Spiral as a loose concept album about a man falling apart, not unlike Roger Waters’ self-loathing megalomania that fuelled Pink Floyd’s The Wall—another major influence on the album, although Reznor would offer no conclusive ending to his narrative.
—Adam Steiner, SPIN, 8 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-loathing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near self-loathing
Cite this Entry
“Self-loathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-loathing. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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