self-flagellating

adjective

as in altruistic

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of self-flagellating At times, Carol’s admirable rebelliousness seems to come at the cost of self-flagellating destruction, a badge of honor to be miserable. — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-flagellating
  1. altruistic
  2. humanitarian
  3. philanthropic
  4. magnanimous
  5. benevolent
  6. self-sacrificing
  7. selfless
  8. self-denying
Adjective
  • Katherine is sympathetic and altruistic, two other words that describe the sentimental nature of the water sign’s personality.
    — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Savonarola is unapologetically altruistic and unflinching in his critique of the Vatican.
    — Charles Lewis III, Mercury News, 24 July 2026
Definition of altruistic
Adjective
  • Fraying lifeline Barred from legally working in Bangladesh, Rohingya depend almost entirely on humanitarian assistance.
    — Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Democratic senators and humanitarian groups questioned whether the cuts to the civilian protection personnel also contributed to the school tragedy.
    — Megan Rose, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of humanitarian
Adjective
  • Some billionaires have also pledged philanthropic contributions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • That would have been even a few more million bucks on top of what already looks more like a philanthropic civic act more than a savvy investment on Tullman’s impassioned part, but an enthusiastic punter can dream.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of philanthropic
Adjective
  • Deadpool is proving to be surprisingly magnanimous as the flippant character loses a box office record to The Odyssey.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But Zakir Avşar, a professor at Ankara’s Hacı Bayram Veli University, urges a more magnanimous view of developments.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of magnanimous
Adjective
  • Supporters of the legislation will argue that their intentions were benevolent and kind.
    — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
  • This is applicable in equal measures to leaders ordinarily deemed benevolent, and those considered destructive.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of benevolent
Adjective
  • Anyone who tries to pass will have our self-sacrificing heroes in the IRGC Navy and Army set their ships on fire.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026
  • There’s the self-sacrificing Texas teenager who’s helping her mom make ends meet by cashing out her own college fund.
    — Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 25 Feb. 2023
Definition of self-sacrificing
Adjective
  • Your entire roster - or at least nearly all of your roster - must be selfless, buy in, and put winning ahead of personal goals.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
  • That selfless approach is what MLB’s premier organization and latest dynasty loves most about Muncy.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of selfless
Adjective
  • Like Congress passing campaign-finance regulation actually is like a pretty self-denying thing Congress has done.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
  • The tension between the self-denying demands of being a Kennedy wife and Carolyn’s assured self-determination sets the framework for this love story.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of self-denying

Browse Nearby Words

self-explorations
self-flagellating
self-flagellation
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Cite this Entry

“Self-flagellating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-flagellating. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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