1. whipping or beating with a whip or similar instrument
Usage: present participle of flagellate
2. criticizing oneself or others severely
Usage: figurative use

Examples

• The monk was flagellating himself as part of his religious penance.
• She kept flagellating herself over the mistake she had made.
• The critic was flagellating the author’s latest work in his review.
• He spent hours flagellating himself mentally for missing the opportunity.
• The protesters were flagellating the government’s new policies.
• Stop flagellating yourself over something that wasn’t your fault.