as in self-annihilation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Playing him was a kind of self-immolation for Tesfaye.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 May 2025
-
The last flareup in the early 2010s involved a string of self-immolation incidents that critics called a desperate cry against the Chinese government’s ever-tightening grip on Tibetan society.—
Steven Jiang,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Institutions are not turning to blockchain out of altruism.—
Azeem Khan,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
Pope Francis was a popular figure within and outside the Catholic Church, given his principles of austerity and altruism, as well as his outspoken stance on the evils of war and occupation.—
Tessa Solomon for ARTnews,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Finally, remember that leadership is an act of service, but service doesn’t mean self-sacrifice.—
Aaron Marcum,
Forbes.com,
5 May 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Courage is the habit of moving forward despite fear, and its associated virtues include perseverance, resilience, and magnanimity.—
Andrew Abela,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
-
As Trump’s second term commences, this magnanimity may be at stake.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
And both Harrison and Pierce share a sort of commitment to their craft — professionalism, generosity on set.—
Ashley Hume , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2025
-
Neuroscience shows that generosity activates reward centers in the brain.—
Matthew Scogin,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-flagellation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-flagellation. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share