self-tormenting

1 of 2

adjective

self-tor·​ment·​ing ˌself-tȯr-ˈmen-tiŋ 

-ˈtȯr-ˌmen-

: tormenting oneself especially psychologically

a self-tormenting perfectionist

: marked by self-torment

self-tormenting thoughts

self-tormenting

2 of 2

noun

plural self-tormentings

: self-torment

She had, therefore, abundant leisure for reflection, and even for self-tormenting …

—Sir Walter Scott

… golf is a form of self-tormenting. It causes extraordinary amounts of self-inflicted pain …

—Andrew Greig

But Dante transcends these self-tormentings and rises to a higher stage of spiritual illumination …

—Stephen Gurney

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1596, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1628, in the meaning defined above