as in self-annihilation
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Recent Examples of self-flagellation
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
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
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And he is compelled by a righteous fury to warn others of his son’s dark path to self-annihilation.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2025
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This, at his best, is Crews’s subject: the relationship between art and self-annihilation—and whether the price of becoming the boy in the picture is too high to be paid by the one stumbling through the dark.—
Charlie Lee,
Harpers Magazine,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
During a brief period following the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when China further opened its doors to the outside world, Tibet was rocked by protests by monks and nuns, and then a series of self-immolations.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Snyder’s origin story introduces Kal-el and Krypton’s most fascist generals (led by Michael Shannon’s explosive General Zod) as the only survivors of their advanced world’s self-immolation.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Even before the crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried tarnished the name of effective altruism (EA), the movement had backed itself into tight corners.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Almost all food recalls are made by the manufacturing company voluntarily, but not out of altruism.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The highest form of charity as defined by the Apostle Paul is to give in a spirit of self-sacrifice.—
Elizabeth MacBride,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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The adorable mascot, imported from the Fantastic Four cartoon in Fantastic Four #209, wasn’t particularly interesting until its moment of self-sacrifice in #217.—
Kambole Campbell,
Vulture,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
How naive of me to expect that those in the public eye would at least pretend to possess tact, diplomacy, magnanimity and graciousness rather than bark and growl like an angry pit bull on a thick clanking chain.—
Louis Balsamo,
Baltimore Sun,
25 June 2025
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Advertisement What Fellowes can’t countenance are privileged people who lack the magnanimity befitting their rank and, most of all, servants who are insufficiently grateful to their benevolent employers.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Though his interests were that of a pretty typical child — computing and gaming, playing the saxophone, enjoying soccer and time with his pets — he was also known for his acts of kindness and generosity.—
Lauren Costantino
September 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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But this in charity affects people’s generosity.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-flagellation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-flagellation. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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