SELF-PITY Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

self-pity

noun

Definition of self-pity

as in sadness

disapproving a feeling of pity for yourself because you believe you have suffered more than is fair or reasonable He was wallowing in self-pity. She spoke without a trace of self-pity.

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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-pity Every setback was met with more determination instead of self-pity. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 Successive setbacks have predisposed Hungarians to pessimism, even self-pity. — Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026 Or perhaps he is known less by image and more as a disembodied voice, glitching his way across vintage Kanye tracks and rumbling words of self-pity opposite Taylor Swift. — Mitch Therieau, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026 Winning an Olympic gold medal with Team USA last month has undoubtedly helped his mood, but there’s also a level of maturity at this stage of his career — and life — that doesn’t leave much room for self-pity. — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-pity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-pity

Noun

Nonetheless, Simón stirs up the ineffable sadness that comes with wanting answers to the mysteries of your family — and then, like it or not, receiving them.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
There’s a frank sadness to nearly every scene, but also a tenderness and warmth between these two unlikely friends.

— Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026

Definition of sadness

Noun

After learning that her friend Shannon’s mother has died in a car accident, Elle is suddenly facing her first real encounter with grief and, unable to sit with it, throws herself into planning the memorial, down to selecting the music.

— Angelina Mazza, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
This town has known seasons of many stripes, from that autumn of grief after 9/11 to that spring of solitude and trepidation as COVID-19 first emerged.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of grief

Noun

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the crash and offered condolences to the victims' families.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Croatia’s World Cup exit was not without a fight, with a last-minute, stoppage time goal that likely had fans screaming at the TV in jubilation, and then in sorrow.

— Alex Connor, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Definition of sorrow

Noun

The Charlotte region will start feeling like a frying pan come Wednesday, and forecasters expect the sticky misery to linger into next week.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026
But the misery of the heat would add to the story told over natural wine at a bar back home.

— Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 27 June 2026

Definition of misery

Noun

Some mourners, gathering at the funeral of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Saturday, expressed both anguish and a desire for vengeance.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
And with that decision, the company narrowed the chance that the mother’s anguish could draw attention to any danger the formula might pose to other infants.

— David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Definition of anguish

Noun

Rojas said the earthquakes have caused agony for Venezuelan players, even those who didn’t lose family or friends.

— Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026
There were the two calls in September, one about a detainee who lay on the floor holding his stomach in agony and unable to speak after swallowing an unknown object.

— Perla Trevizo, ProPublica, 3 July 2026

Definition of agony

Noun

The broader mood tracks right alongside, with 40% expecting AI to be bad for society over the next twenty years against 16% who expect good, the gloom running deepest among adults under 30, and 63% saying the whole thing is moving too fast.

— Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
The partying turned to gloom after the temblors.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026