: pity for oneself
especially : a self-indulgent dwelling on one's own sorrows or misfortunes
self-pitying adjective
self-pityingly adverb

Examples of self-pity 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.
In our very own century, a president of the United States has mangled the meaning of witch hunt beyond anything but self-pitying victimhood. Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2025 The Ballad of Wallis Island Rated PG-13 for inoffensive bird-watching and offensive self-pity. Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 The three components of the franchise’s young core refuse to let Williams wallow in any self-pity. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2025 King Charles' cancer diagnosis must have pushed her aversion to self-pity to its limits. Jack Royston, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-pity

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-pity was in 1604

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-pity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-pity. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

self-pity

noun
ˈself-ˈpit-ē
: pity for oneself
especially : too much attention to one's misfortunes
self-pitying
-ē-iŋ
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on self-pity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!