self-loathing

noun

self-loath·​ing ˌself-ˈlō-ṯẖiŋ 

: loathing of oneself : self-hatred

acting out of fear and self-loathing

… the idea that the self-absorption and egotism of the narcissist are a pose to mask their opposite: a deep well of self-loathing and low self-esteem.

—Jeffrey Kluger

self-loathing adjective

… his life as a self-loathing sensualist, an incautious but easily damaged artist …

—A. L. Kennedy

… stars as a self-loathing English writer who writes Hollywood sitcoms for his actress wife …

—Giselle Benatar

Examples of self-loathing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But most of us have probably experienced the letdown—perhaps even self-loathing—of failing to stick to a New Year’s resolution. —Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 1 Jan. 2025

The reverse camera angle compounds my self-loathing. —Alan Shearer, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024

More than anything, the movie gives you a portrait of the artist as an open wound, with self-mythologizing masquerading as self-loathing and self-deprecation taken to uncomfortable extremes. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Dec. 2024

From the beginning, Shrinking has always framed Jimmy’s obsession with healing his patients as a sort of drug, a way of distracting himself from the grief and self-loathing gnawing at him in the background. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above