self-tormenting
1 of 2adjective
self-tor·ment·ing ˌself-tȯr-ˈmen-tiŋ 
-ˈtȯr-ˌmen-
: tormenting oneself especially psychologically
a self-tormenting perfectionist
: marked by self-torment self-tormenting thoughts
self-tormenting
2 of 2noun
plural self-tormentings
: self-torment
She had, therefore, abundant leisure for reflection, and even for self-tormenting …
Sir Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott… golf is a form of self-tormenting. It causes extraordinary amounts of self-inflicted pain … Andrew Greig
Andrew GreigBut Dante transcends these self-tormentings and rises to a higher stage of spiritual illumination … Stephen Gurney
Stephen Gurney
Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1596, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1628, in the meaning defined above