self mortification
/ˌsɛlfˌmɔrtəfəˈkeɪʃən/
noun
- The act of deliberately causing oneself physical pain or discomfort, often for religious or spiritual reasons.
- Self-mortification is rarely recommended by modern spiritual leaders.
- In some traditions, monks practice self-mortification to show devotion.
- The novel describes a character who engages in extreme self-mortification as penance.
- Severe self-criticism or denial of pleasure as a form of punishment or discipline.
- The athlete's self-mortification included skipping meals after a poor performance.
- After failing the exam, she went through a period of self-mortification, refusing to see friends.
- His constant self-mortification over small mistakes worried his family.
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