self-contempt
Definition
- Noun:
- Feeling of disdain for oneself: "self-contempt" is a noun referring to a strong feeling of dislike, scorn, or lack of respect directed toward oneself. It involves a negative self-judgment that often arises from perceived failures, moral shortcomings, or a sense of worthlessness.
Usage Examples
- (A strong feeling of disdain toward himself for his perceived lack of effort.)
- (Her persistent negative self-judgment hindered her ability to receive praise.)
- (The internal expression of scorn toward himself was clear.)
Advanced Usage
- "to harbor self-contempt": to hold or maintain a feeling of disdain toward oneself over time.
- He harbored deep self-contempt for years after the incident. (He kept a prolonged feeling of self-scorn.)
- "a state of self-contempt": a condition or period marked by strong self-dislike.
- She entered a state of self-contempt following her public mistake. (She experienced a period of intense self-criticism.)
Variants and Related Words
- Self-contemptuous (adj): showing or expressing contempt for oneself.
- His self-contemptuous remarks revealed his inner turmoil. (His statements showing disdain for himself indicated his distress.)
- Self-contemptuously (adv): in a manner that shows self-contempt.
- She laughed self-contemptuously at her own error. (She laughed in a way that expressed scorn for herself.)
Synonyms
- Self-loathing: intense dislike or hatred of oneself.
- Self-hatred: a strong feeling of hatred directed at oneself.
- Self-disgust: a feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval toward oneself.
- Self-reproach: blame or criticism directed at oneself, often less intense than contempt.
Related Idioms
- To be one's own worst enemy: to habitually criticize or undermine oneself, similar to self-contempt.
- He is his own worst enemy, always filled with self-contempt. (He constantly harms himself through negative self-judgment.)
- To look down on oneself: to regard oneself with scorn or inferiority.
- She tends to look down on herself, which is a form of self-contempt. (She views herself with disdain.)