SINCE 1828
self-torture
noun
self-tor·ture
| \ ˌself-ˈtȯr-chər
\
\
plural self-tortures
Definition of self-torture
1
: the act or an instance of torturing oneself psychologically
Guilt is a merciless instrument of self-torture.— S. G. Browne Because golf exposes the flaws of the human swing—a basically simple maneuver—it causes more self-torture than any game short of Russian roulette.— Grantland Rice
2
: the infliction of intense pain on oneself
The Native North Americans also used physical suffering, a literal self-torture—for example, piercing the chest with sticks and thongs …— Leslie Gray
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