Definitions

self-punishment

NOUN

hair shirt

Synonyms

WEAK

self-flagellation self-hatred

NOUN

penitence

Synonyms

STRONGEST

contrition penance repentance

STRONG

anguish attrition compunction contriteness debasement degradation distress grief humiliation qualm regret remorse rue ruefulness ruth sadness scruple self-condemnation self-flagellation self-reproach

WEAK

humbling remorsefulness self-castigation

Antonyms

STRONG

approval comfort contentedness elevation happiness joy satisfaction

WEAK

shamelessness

NOUN

penitency

Synonyms

WEAK

anguish attrition compunction contriteness contrition debasement degradation distress grief humbling humiliation penance qualm regret remorse remorsefulness repentance rue ruefulness ruth sadness scruple self-castigation self-condemnation self-flagellation self-reproach

NOUN

remorsefulness

Synonyms

WEAK

anguish attrition compunction contriteness contrition debasement degradation distress grief humbling humiliation penance penitency qualm regret remorse repentance rue ruefulness ruth sadness scruple self-castigation self-condemnation self-flagellation self-reproach

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even though I’d moved past my crush by then, I felt a surge of embarrassment that quickly morphed into self-punishment.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 4, 2024

"As kind of a form of self-punishment, but also trying to keep things a little lighter, I told all the guys that I was going to shave it off whenever we won."

From Fox News • Aug. 26, 2021

But sometimes the care with which people want to navigate this stuff borders on self-punishment.

From Slate • Jan. 3, 2021

In Hector's case it was a breakdown, and homelessness to him is a long means of self-punishment.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2015

These evidences of an impulse to look on correction as a quite proper thing are corroborated by stories of self-punishment.

From Children's Ways by Sully, James

self-punishment

Example Sentences

Related Words