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

The bullying, coupled with his toxic view of women and self-loathing, is what ultimately triggers the attack. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 17 Mar. 2025

The son is his father’s fiendish double, an antic, self-loathing imp who, loudly proclaiming his adoration of Eli-Leizer, makes a mockery of him. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025

Tom Penn’s empathic drumming and Gabriela García’s occasional ethereal singing provide the soundtrack of French Quarter fear and self-loathing, while Medeleine Girling’s set design consists simply of a wood platform roughly 25 by 25 feet across laying on top of cinderblocks. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2025

There’s long been a strand of self-loathing to the film industry, and sometimes that self-loathing leads to great movies. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-loathing

• loathing