self-punishment

self-punishment — noun

1. the act of deliberately causing yourself pain or hardship because you feel guilt

1.名詞B2
釋義

the act of deliberately causing yourself pain or hardship because you feel guilty or ashamed about something you have done

例句

After arguing with her sister, Yuki's refusal to eat felt like self-punishment rather than regret.

contrasted with 'regret' to show emotional nuance

Ritu's therapist helped her see the painful relationship as a form of self-punishment.

therapeutic context: 'a form of self-punishment'

同義詞
  • self-flagellation

    stronger, more intense; can be literal (whipping) or figurative (harsh self-criticism)

  • penance

    religious context; an act done to make up for wrongdoing, often with a redemptive goal

  • self-reproach

    emotional only — refers to blaming or criticising yourself, not to actions or behaviour

反義詞
  • self-forgiveness

    the opposite emotional stance: accepting your mistakes and moving on

  • self-care

    the contrasting behaviour: treating yourself with kindness rather than punishment

文法句型

self-punishment + through + noun/gerund

a/the + noun + of + self-punishment

用法筆記

Frequently used in therapeutic or introspective writing. Unlike 'self-harm,' which refers primarily to physical injury, self-punishment can be emotional or behavioural — such as denying yourself rest, repeatedly replaying past failures, or staying in a harmful situation. This noun is uncountable; avoid the plural 'self-punishments.'

常見錯誤

❌He engaged in self-punishments after losing his job.
✅He engaged in self-punishment after losing his job.
💡Self-punishment is uncountable; do not add -s.
❌Self-punishment is the same as taking responsibility.
✅Self-punishment means punishing yourself out of guilt, whereas taking responsibility is a constructive step.
💡Self-punishment is driven by guilt or shame, not by a desire to make things right.