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Glite Dictionary
self-torture

self-torture

1 7.4
Causing yourself pain by thinking a lot about bad things
  • noun
  • /sɛlf ˈtɔːrtʃər/
translation icon : autotortura
  • And, of course, Poe's self-torture protagonists have become a horror convention.

Examples

  • She realized that her habit of constantly replaying past mistakes was a form of self-torture that hindered her happiness.

  • Many people engage in self-torture by obsessively worrying about things they cannot control.

  • His tendency to dwell on negative thoughts is a pattern of self-torture that prevents him from moving forward.

Synonyms

self-punishment
vsself-torture
1 7.5

Making yourself suffer because you feel guilty

is about dwelling in negative thoughts rather than deliberately punishing the person for guilt
self-abasement
vsself-torture
1 9.3

Act of making yourself feel ashamed to show you are sorry

is focused on internal distress and dwelling rather than public humiliation for atonement
self-torment
vsself-torture
8.6

To make yourself feel sad or guilty on purpose by replaying past events

is often caused by dwelling on negative thoughts rather than planned harm
self-mortification
vsself-torture
  • NSFW
9.9

A practice of hurting yourself on purpose to show discipline or say sorry, often for religious reasons

is about mental or emotional distress from dwelling, not voluntary physical pain

Antonyms

self-acceptance
4 4.4

Accepting yourself as you are, including your strengths and weaknesses

How Severe

self-torture
1 7.4

Surface Forms

self-torture singular
self-tortures plural

Morphology

self-torture = self + torture (transparent) = self + torture

The meaning is directly derived from 'self' + 'torture' (inflicting torment on oneself), so learners who know both components can infer the sense.

Etymology

Self-torture comes from self ('oneself') and torture ('to cause pain'). So, it paints a clear image: it is like hurting yourself with your thoughts, meaning you keep causing mental or emotional pain by replaying bad memories or worries.