as in self-annihilation
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Recent Examples of self-flagellation
At the same time, invisibility has come as a relief, insofar as my vanity always kept company with self-consciousness and self-flagellation.
—
Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
The technique was initially practiced alone, but in 1260 a hermit in Perugia launched a movement, and organized processions of mass self-flagellation broke out across Italy.
—Michael Robbins, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Ever since Kamala Harris lost the election, the Democratic Party has been on a nationwide self-flagellation tour.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
But if the director was already critical of his country beforehand, the place is in such a dire state right now that his only response this time seems to be a form of cinematic self-flagellation.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
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
Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
The technique was initially practiced alone, but in 1260 a hermit in Perugia launched a movement, and organized processions of mass self-flagellation broke out across Italy.
—Michael Robbins, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Ever since Kamala Harris lost the election, the Democratic Party has been on a nationwide self-flagellation tour.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
But if the director was already critical of his country beforehand, the place is in such a dire state right now that his only response this time seems to be a form of cinematic self-flagellation.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-flagellation
Noun
-
The will toward self-annihilation is a familiar human characteristic.—
Henry Freedland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Her self-annihilation is grisly and impossible to misinterpret as a final repudiation of her role in the HMS Courageous bombing and, until Grace announces she’d like Hal to be her vice-president, is the most intense and far-reaching twist of the episode.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Later, when Doyle comes into some mysterious bags of cash, and heads toward the mainland with a bottle of booze, a boat, and one last chance to go out in a blaze of self-immolation, Farrell manages to mix dread and adrenaline into every silent expression.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
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But history shows that unexpected internal sparks—a natural disaster, a fruit vendor’s self-immolation, a young woman killed for showing too much hair—can prove just as consequential.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Squid Game is an elimination game, but there are these moments of deep altruism and kindness even amongst it.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Nov. 2025
-
This isn’t just about altruism, though.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In John Brown’s case, as with the iconic figure of Uncle Tom, self-sacrifice was the way to God’s throne.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The state media and government representatives push militarism and self-sacrifice; school curricula endlessly celebrate Russian war victories; theaters obediently stage works of communist-era patriotic authors; and cities display army recruitment banners and hero worship posters.—
Nina Khrushcheva,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There’s a moving moment of magnanimity, which won’t be given away here, that proves the underlying dignity of a people broken by an authoritarian state.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Burnett expected her team to match her mood of upbeat magnanimity.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Traditional holiday themes of generosity, salvation, and tradition are mostly absent here.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
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The home and collection were simply stunning, and her generosity in hosting a private viewing for our Women’s Fund gave us rare, unrushed time with the work.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-flagellation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-flagellation. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.
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