self-laceration

noun

self-lac·​er·​a·​tion ˌself-ˌla-sə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce self-laceration (audio)
plural self-lacerations
: the act or an instance of lacerating oneself: such as
a
: the act or action of cutting or tearing one's own flesh
… the self-laceration often results in sustained or permanent visible disfigurements to the body …Armando Favazza
b
: the act or action of rebuking or tormenting oneself
Here his self-laceration finds expression in a series of adjectives that come tumbling out …Harold Bloom
self-lacerating adjective
a self-lacerating autobiography
his self-lacerating honesty
… as she launched an unexpected second career as an acerbic, self-lacerating chronicler of Hollywood excess … Matt Schudel

Examples of self-laceration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web George, on the other hand, was a delightful, thrilling roller-coaster ride of fun and games, self-laceration and self-loathing, but nevertheless with a happyish ending. New York Times, 28 Sep. 2023 As with Nathan for You, Fielder mixes actual service, slightly mocking exposure and full-on self-laceration, though usually with some compassion for the human condition. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-laceration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1684, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-laceration was in 1684

Dictionary Entries Near self-laceration

Cite this Entry

“Self-laceration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-laceration. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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