wallowing

word · lemma: wallow

Definition

'Wallowing' means rolling around in something (like mud or water), or, more often, spending a lot of time feeling a particular emotion, especially negative ones like sadness or self-pity.

Usage & Nuances

Commonly used for animals (like pigs in mud) and more often figuratively for people overly absorbed in emotions ('wallowing in sadness'). Mostly informal. Don't confuse with 'dwelling on' or 'obsessing over', which are similar but less physical.

Example Sentences

The pig was wallowing in the mud.

basic

She is wallowing in sadness after the breakup.

basic

Stop wallowing and do something about your problems.

basic

He spent the whole weekend wallowing in self-pity.

natural

They were wallowing in luxury at the five-star resort.

natural

Sometimes, wallowing in a good book is the best escape.

natural