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self-tormenting

1 of 2

adjective

self-tor·​ment·​ing ˌself-tȯr-ˈmen-tiŋ How to pronounce self-tormenting (audio)
-ˈtȯr-ˌmen-
: tormenting oneself especially psychologically
a self-tormenting perfectionist
: marked by self-torment
self-tormenting thoughts

self-tormenting

2 of 2

noun

plural self-tormentings
: self-torment
She had, therefore, abundant leisure for reflection, and even for self-tormentingSir Walter Scott
… golf is a form of self-tormenting. It causes extraordinary amounts of self-inflicted pain …Andrew Greig
But Dante transcends these self-tormentings and rises to a higher stage of spiritual illumination …Stephen Gurney

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1596, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1628, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-tormenting was in 1596

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Cite this Entry

“Self-tormenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-tormenting. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.

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