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

Tennis is an infuriating sport, and most players, amateur or professional, will have experienced flashes of self-loathing. —Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025

For the most part, the sound is a vintage one for Drake, feeling something like a retreat to a comfort zone: moody heartbreak soul bathed in self-loathing and suspicion. —New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

Yet in Democratic election postmortems, liberal media and political leaders’ reactions have ranged from characteristic shrillness to self-loathing, blame games, and party infighting. —Elizabeth Currid-Halkett, National Review, 16 Feb. 2025

When a different tech trips over the plug mid-process, that hiccup in the process may explain why Mickey 17 comes out slightly less self-loathing than the others. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-loathing

• loathing