self-laceration
noun
self-lac·er·a·tion
ˌself-ˌla-sə-ˈrā-shən 
plural self-lacerations
: the act or an instance of lacerating oneself: such as
a
: the act or action of cutting or tearing one's own flesh
… the self-laceration often results in sustained or permanent visible disfigurements to the body …—
Armando Favazza
Armando Favazza
b
: the act or action of rebuking or tormenting oneself
Here his self-laceration finds expression in a series of adjectives that come tumbling out …—Harold Bloom
Harold Bloom
self-lacerating
adjective
a self-lacerating autobiography
his self-lacerating honesty
… as she launched an unexpected second career as an acerbic, self-lacerating chronicler of Hollywood excess …
—Matt Schudel
Matt Schudel
Examples of self-laceration in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
George, on the other hand, was a delightful, thrilling roller-coaster ride of fun and games, self-laceration and self-loathing, but nevertheless with a happyish ending.
—New York Times, 28 Sep. 2023
As with Nathan for You, Fielder mixes actual service, slightly mocking exposure and full-on self-laceration, though usually with some compassion for the human condition.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 June 2023
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.
New York Times, 28 Sep. 2023
As with Nathan for You, Fielder mixes actual service, slightly mocking exposure and full-on self-laceration, though usually with some compassion for the human condition.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 June 2023
Dictionary Entries Near self-laceration
Cite this Entry
“Self-laceration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-laceration. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share