self-tormenting

1 of 2

adjective

: tormenting oneself especially psychologically
a self-tormenting perfectionist
: marked by self-torment
self-tormenting thoughts

self-tormenting

2 of 2

noun

plural self-tormentings
: self-torment
She had, therefore, abundant leisure for reflection, and even for self-tormenting Sir Walter Scott
… golf is a form of self-tormenting. It causes extraordinary amounts of self-inflicted pain … Andrew Greig
But Dante transcends these self-tormentings and rises to a higher stage of spiritual illumination … Stephen Gurney

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1596, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1628, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-tormenting was in 1596

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Cite this Entry

“Self-tormenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-tormenting. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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