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

self-loathing adjective

… his life as a self-loathing sensualist, an incautious but easily damaged artist …

—A. L. Kennedy

… stars as a self-loathing English writer who writes Hollywood sitcoms for his actress wife …

—Giselle Benatar

Examples of self-loathing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The weight of that single sheet of paper pulled me down to new depths of shame and self-loathing. —Joe Garcia, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025

Fanning’s tensed, squirrelly performance comes to life in these spots, with Polly’s waning trust and fear of betrayal cluing into a wounded self-loathing that becomes the film’s best lasting impression. —J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025

Paul Solotaroff, investigative journalist and co-author with Bob Klapisch of the New York Times bestseller about the Yankees organization, Inside the Empire, is, at his core, a self-loathing Yankees fan from Manhattan. —Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

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. —Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-loathing

• loathing