lacerating-self-reproach
/ˈlæs.ə.reɪ.tɪŋ sɛlf rɪˈprəʊtʃ/ IELTSAcademic
noun
very strong guilt and criticism of yourself after a mistake or failure. It feels painful and harsh, not mild or ordinary.
- He fell into lacerating self-reproach after the error.
- Her voice shook with lacerating self-reproach.
- The letter was full of lacerating self-reproach.
Adinary Nuance
Lacerating self-reproach is stronger than self-blame and more painful than regret. It suggests emotional injury, as if the person is tearing themselves up inside. Writers choose it when ordinary words like “sorry” or “regretful” feel too weak.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Sự tự trách dữ dội
- Spanish
- Autorreproche intenso
- Chinese
- 强烈自责
- Japanese
- 激しい自己非難
- Korean
- 극심한 자책
Etymology
This is a descriptive phrase built from Latin lacerare, meaning “to tear,” and self-reproach, meaning blame directed at oneself. It is used in modern English for very intense self-blame.
Common phrases
lacerating self-reproachin self-reproachspeak in self-reproach
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is lacerating self-reproach formal or literary?
- It is formal and literary. You may see it in essays, novels, or serious writing, not casual speech.
- How is it different from regret?
- Regret is milder. Lacerating self-reproach means painful, intense self-blame after a mistake.
- Can I use it in IELTS Writing?
- Yes, but only in formal essays or literary analysis. It sounds too strong for everyday speaking.