as in sadness
disapproving
a feeling of pity for yourself because you believe you have suffered more than is fair or reasonable
He was wallowing in self-pity. She spoke without a trace of self-pity.
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Recent Examples of self-pity
Those reflections on youthful passion contrast sharply with the Mozzer’s current state of self-pity.
—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2026
Winning an Olympic gold medal with Team USA last month has undoubtedly helped his mood, but there’s also a level of maturity at this stage of his career — and life — that doesn’t leave much room for self-pity.
—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Now 30, Varvarych was a bodybuilder and is still proud of his physique, refusing to show self-pity.
—
Carol Guzy,
NPR,
22 Feb. 2026
No self-pity in those four words, no performance of stoicism either—just the clean arithmetic of a life lived at full speed.
—
Outside,
10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-pity
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2026
Winning an Olympic gold medal with Team USA last month has undoubtedly helped his mood, but there’s also a level of maturity at this stage of his career — and life — that doesn’t leave much room for self-pity.
—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Now 30, Varvarych was a bodybuilder and is still proud of his physique, refusing to show self-pity.
—
Carol Guzy,
NPR,
22 Feb. 2026
No self-pity in those four words, no performance of stoicism either—just the clean arithmetic of a life lived at full speed.
—
Outside,
10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-pity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-pity
Noun
-
Fear, joy, surprise, sadness, excitement.
-
Exceeding expectations As a trip set mainly in concentration camps, sadness is often the top expectation.
Noun
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At one point, Humphrey said the shock and grief of it all became too much.
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Yet even in the midst of grief, the family chose compassion.
Noun
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But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow.
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At times the longing feels sweet and the search like a little sorrow.
Noun
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Beneath all the sensuality and beauty, there’s also a lingering melancholy that feels very familiar to me.
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Early Years Eichenberg recounted his childhood with some melancholy.
Noun
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So the roughly 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are now living in greater misery than ever.
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Knicks fans know all about the misery part.
Noun
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Canada’s first-ever World Cup win was overshadowed yesterday when midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg after a tackle that left teammates shaken and coach Jesse Marsch lamenting an injury that turned a night of celebration into one of anguish.
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Lost in the Brazilian tears, anguish and confusion was just how clinical the Germans had been.
Noun
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The reticence of Cartland’s heroes belies agonies of loneliness.
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And your character is in such agony.
Noun
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The Los Angeles guitarist and songwriter touches on grief, rejection, and love in lo-fi shoegaze songs that package sunny melodies with comforting gloom.
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June gloom is nearly behind us, and Danielle Dorsey has a guide to 7 new rooftop restaurant and bars.
Cite this Entry
“Self-pity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-pity. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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