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
  • Before globetrotting for work, she was raised as the altruistic equivalent of an army brat.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
  • And Sanders is credited as an altruistic, creative genius by diners, influencers and the media.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of altruistic
Adjective
  • Over the weekend, political leaders from Marsabit County warned of a deepening humanitarian crisis that could overwhelm host communities already struggling with food and water shortages worsened by climate change.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Pope Leo also discussed the humanitarian crisis in Oleshky on an October 16 phone call with Putin while in the hospital recovering from lung cancer surgery, according to the Vatican.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of humanitarian
Adjective
  • His legal team has said that Chambers has strictly donated to lawful Gaza and Palestine humanitarian and philanthropic aid projects, and O’Shea believes them.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Some billionaires have also pledged philanthropic contributions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Definition of philanthropic
Adjective
  • As an interlocutor, Le Guin is magnanimous and playful in these pages.
    — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Given the circumstances, his commitment was defiantly magnanimous.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of magnanimous
Adjective
  • Larger-than-life Halloween celebrations rise up every October like the Great Pumpkin (or a benevolent spooky spirit or two) to captivate visitors with parades, caramel apples, costume contests, and more.
    — Michelle Mastro, Midwest Living, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Promotional images and films conjured a playful, adaptable and benevolent house — plastic as the building block of family happiness.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 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
  • During his funeral last year, he was described as a selfless colleague, dedicated public servant and someone who regularly volunteered for the most dangerous assignments.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The selfless acts aren’t just feel-good stories for business.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 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 Oct. 2026.

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