self-loathing

5 synonyms and 3 antonyms for self-loathing, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — Intense hatred or disgust directed at yourself, going beyond ordinary self-criticism into contempt for who you are.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

self-hatred self-disgust self-contempt self-hate self-hating

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

Intense hatred or disgust directed at yourself, going beyond ordinary self-criticism into contempt for who you are.

“The diaries record years of self-loathing he hid from everyone.”

self-hatred self-disgust self-contempt self-hate

Opposites

self-love self-acceptance self-esteem

2. adjective

Filled with hatred of yourself, or of a group you belong to.

“He wrote a self-loathing account of his years in the industry.”

self-hating

How to use self-loathing

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

consumed by self-loathing spiral of self-loathing self-loathing and shame

Neutral and clinical enough for psychology writing, and common in memoir and criticism.

Etymology

From self- + loathing.

Full origin of self-loathing →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between self-loathing and low self-esteem?

Low self-esteem is a poor opinion of your worth or abilities, and it can be quiet and comparative. Self-loathing is active hostility towards yourself, closer to hatred than to doubt, and it tends to attach to your whole identity rather than your performance.

Is self-loathing a mental illness?

It is not a diagnosis in itself, but it is a recognised feature of depression, eating disorders, complex trauma and addiction. Persistent self-loathing is a reason to seek help, since it rarely lifts on its own.

What is the opposite of self-loathing?

Self-acceptance is the truest opposite, since it means being at peace with yourself as you are. Self-love and self-esteem are near opposites, but they involve positive regard rather than simple absence of hatred.

People also searched

self-esteem self-love

Nearby words

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