self-recrimination

noun

self-re·​crim·​i·​na·​tion ˌself-ri-ˌkri-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce self-recrimination (audio)
plural self-recriminations
: the act of accusing or blaming oneself
… a story whose own identity slips from the slow burn of an erotic thriller to a far deeper, more wrenching study of parental loss, self-recrimination and grief.Ann Hornaday
All of the past year's regrets and self-recriminations came rushing back: the sleepless nights, the anguished days.Justin Peters

Examples of self-recrimination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From her sharp scolding of a student nurse to her own tears of self-recrimination, Floria is a full-blooded and beautifully etched character and, yes, a heroine. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025 Studies show that forgiving yourself for previous delays neutralizes procrastination, as does self-compassion, which provides shock absorbers against self-recrimination. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024 This time, the Ravens’ pass rush did not let them down For all the self-recrimination expressed by Humphrey and others, the Ravens’ defense actually kept them in the game while their offense inexplicably sputtered for the first 30 minutes. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2024 Matty’s mixed-up feelings about Ellie — a combination of rage, grief, self-pity, and self-recrimination — may end up having a profound effect on how her mission within Jacobson-Moore plays out. Noel Murray, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024 This could lead to guilty feelings or self-recrimination. Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2024 Bush administration officials could have responded to the attacks with chagrin and self-recrimination, conceding (at least tacitly) that their initial national security priorities had been incorrect. Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2017 Wynonna returned for the night’s final song, exhaling the anguish and absolving herself of the self-recriminations that loving someone who will never do you right incurs. Holly Gleason, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024 So, too, did self-recriminations from Blake Lively and others online who had made jokes at her expense. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-recrimination was in 1769

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Cite this Entry

“Self-recrimination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-recrimination. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

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