as in self-annihilation
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Recent Examples of self-flagellation
Rublev, 27 and the men’s world No. 9, is prone to fits of self-flagellation — often hammering at his body with his racket.
—
Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
The self-flagellation is uncomfortable and dark, and the instrumental’s whorl of warped voices, sax melodies, and bass lines intensifies the feeling that he is trapped within his choices.
17.
—Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
That leads to the kind of regret and self-flagellation in your letter, and the spiral begins anew.
—Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
Peasant sects promoted exotic beliefs and practices, including anti-materialism, self-flagellation, and self-castration.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025
A little self-flagellation can be fun, but a Goofus-and-Gallant dynamic develops between Simone and Gigi that unbalances the drama.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2024
Some of the attendees catch on and quickly bolt, but there’s still a small group left when Walsh pulls out a box of whips and paddles so that people can engage in self-flagellation.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
At launch, there are two online multiplayer modes that ratchet up the competitive spirit beyond basic self-flagellation.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2024
In Trump’s fateful moment, all his endless self-flagellation about how strong and tough he is consolidated into a single iconic image that goes far beyond capturing everything that he’s ever said about his own courage.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2024
Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
The self-flagellation is uncomfortable and dark, and the instrumental’s whorl of warped voices, sax melodies, and bass lines intensifies the feeling that he is trapped within his choices.
17.
—Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
That leads to the kind of regret and self-flagellation in your letter, and the spiral begins anew.
—Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
Peasant sects promoted exotic beliefs and practices, including anti-materialism, self-flagellation, and self-castration.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025
A little self-flagellation can be fun, but a Goofus-and-Gallant dynamic develops between Simone and Gigi that unbalances the drama.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2024
Some of the attendees catch on and quickly bolt, but there’s still a small group left when Walsh pulls out a box of whips and paddles so that people can engage in self-flagellation.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
At launch, there are two online multiplayer modes that ratchet up the competitive spirit beyond basic self-flagellation.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2024
In Trump’s fateful moment, all his endless self-flagellation about how strong and tough he is consolidated into a single iconic image that goes far beyond capturing everything that he’s ever said about his own courage.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-flagellation
Noun
-
The broken family exults in its own debasement just like the protesters and activist judges who pursue self-annihilation as liberation.—
Armond White,
National Review,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The clock, which is updated by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, is meant to be a metaphor for how close humanity is to self-annihilation.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Gough’s performance is a savage self-immolation of a woman who only knows how to feign joy — and then only ever in extremis — but equally crucial to the moment is the clothing that costume designer Michael Wilkinson arms her with.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Apr. 2025
-
It was sparked by the self-immolation of a Tunisian street vendor to protest police corruption and abuses.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Yet Salk’s greatest act of altruism may have been his decision not to patent the vaccine.—
Gerald Joyce,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2025
-
In fact, a study my team published in August 2024 with adults over 50 with hoarding disorder suggests that altruism, a personality trait of wanting to help others, may explain why some people keep items that others might discard.—
Mary E. Dozier,
CNN,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Golden Globe nominee understands if fans were skeptical of his character Jim Hopper returning for Season 4 after he was seemingly obliterated while closing the gate to the Upside Down, the ultimate form of self-sacrifice to redeem him after his daughter’s death.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2025
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Remember, the healthiest relationships don’t operate on scorekeeping, self-sacrifice or forced agreement.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
As Trump’s second term commences, this magnanimity may be at stake.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
-
That level of humility and magnanimity would go a long way these days.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
Fox News,
7 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
However, as costs continue to rise, ensuring the future of these festivals depends on the generosity of attendees.—
Pamela Maass,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The generosity of donors and volunteers filled him with gratitude.—
Amy Yurkanin,
ProPublica,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-flagellation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-flagellation. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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