Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for self-loathing. Search instead for self-lashing.

self-loathing

American  
[self-loh-thing] / ˈsɛlfˈloʊ ðɪŋ /

noun

  1. disgust with oneself; the feeling that one is detestable.

    Consumed by my own self-loathing, I thought I deserved nothing.


adjective

  1. feeling or expressing disgust with oneself.

    In my insecure and self-loathing mind, I figured she’d probably given me her number with no intention of ever going out with me.

Etymology

Origin of self-loathing

self- ( def. ) + loathing ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

At the end of this confusing speech, however, she reassured the audience that all this self-loathing and frustration was worth it.

From Salon Jun. 12, 2026

Dwayne Johnson’s performance in “The Smashing Machine,” for all the film’s flaws, cleverly reconciled the dissonance between the outward images of masculine power and internal feelings of self-loathing.

From Salon May 27, 2026

Through it all, however, West struggled with depression and a sense of self-loathing, and had trouble with intimacy, much of it a by-product of a hardscrabble childhood in West Virginia with a domineering father.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 14, 2026

But he is also so paranoid, deluded and consumed with self-loathing that throughout this caustically witty novel we can’t help but root for him every step of the way.

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 2, 2026

The concern in his eyes made me nearly sick with self-loathing.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training