self-pity

American  

[self-pit-ee, self-] / ˌsɛlfˈpɪt i, ˈsɛlf- /

noun

1. pity for oneself, especially a self-indulgent attitude concerning one's own difficulties, hardships, etc..

   We must resist yielding to self-pity and carry on as best we can.

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self-pity British  

noun

1. the act or state of pitying oneself, esp in an exaggerated or self-indulgent manner

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Other Word Forms

• self-pitying adjective
• self-pityingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of self-pity

First recorded in 1615–25

Example Sentences

As before, she addressed the material with curiosity and a total absence of self-pity.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Perhaps liberal German writers shy away” from these times, he writes, “to avoid any hint of national self-pity.”

From The Wall Street Journal

There was some self-pity creeping in, and not a little chagrin at being stupid enough to just let them run when I didn’t know the country.

From Literature

Life is too precious and too short for self-pity, even under trying circumstances.

From The Wall Street Journal

Dane said he spent most of his life “wallowing and worrying in self-pity, shame and doubt.”

From Los Angeles Times