Synonyms of flagellate

flagellate

verb

ˈfla-jə-ˌlāt 

as in to whip

to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible

some medieval monks believed it was necessary to flagellate themselves in order to keep their desires in check

Synonyms & Similar Words

• whip
• hide
• slash
• horsewhip
• lash
• leather
• flail
• flog
• spank
• flick
• tan
• switch
• scourge
• thrash
• whale
• slap
• lick
• cut
• birch
• cowhide
• hit
• knock
• rawhide
• punch
• bat
• smack
• strap
• maul
• bang
• beat
• clip
• cane
• whack
• quirt
• swipe
• clap
• pound
• club
• cudgel
• knout
• swat
• pelt
• slug
• box
• thump
• paddle
• smite
• pummel
• sock
• clobber
• bludgeon
• bop
• lather
• touch up
• pistol-whip
• bash
• bung
• mangle
• cuff
• belt
• crack
• buffet
• rough
• paste
• lambaste
• slate
• clout
• blackjack
• lace
• drub
• batter
• hammer
• thwack
• whup
• lam
• work over
• bust
• belabor
• pommel
• slog
• fib
• thresh
• wallop
• whop
• fustigate
• baste
• tromp

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flagellate

His only way of finding any kind of life for himself is to embrace evil, to stop running away from it, to try to stop morally flagellating himself. — Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026

Please, more of Isabella lightly teasing Marty about his tendency to flagellate himself while considering the agony of the human condition. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025

In recent times, the series has been painstakingly flagellating itself for the past. — Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025

Stephens would do well to stop flagellating himself and the Never Trumpers and instead join democracy advocates in defending the rule of law in a dangerous new world. — Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025