self-pity

[self-pit-ee, self-]

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.

self-pity

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• self-pitying adjective
• self-pityingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-pity¹

First recorded in 1615–25

Example Sentences

It wouldn’t be surprising to hear that when Aster catches himself getting maudlin, he forces himself to actively wallow in self-pity until it feels like a joke.

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They have supported Leonard during the trying times with his health issues because they have seen how he refuses to wallow in self-pity.

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Even a self-pity party for bigots draws a line at crybaby antics from the richest man in the world.

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"They are crybabies of the highest order," she wrote, noting that the main tone of Trump's fanbase is self-pity over the smallest stuff.

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Although Nani and Nurse P were of completely different backgrounds, they shared a common loneliness, which they were trying to negotiate with quiet dignity, devoid of the heaviness of self-pity.

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