self-destruct

verb

self-de·​struct ˌself-di-ˈstrəkt How to pronounce self-destruct (audio)
self-destructed; self-destructing; self-destructs

intransitive verb

: to destroy oneself or itself
self-destruct adjective

Examples of self-destruct in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When these spores germinate, the bacteria eat away at the plastic, causing it to self-destruct. Michael Dennis, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 Others, like veteran strategist James Carville, think Trump’s opponents should simply hold their fire and let the Administration self-destruct. Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025 Feeling pushed out, Torborg took the Mets’ generous offer. Keenan, a noted control freak, self-destructed with the Hawks in 1992, months after his most memorable contribution to Hawks lore — putting star Jeremy Roenick in a cast during Game 2 of the ’92 Stanley Cup Final in Pittsburgh. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025 This week, the FBI obtained a court order that allowed the bureau to send a self-destruct command to the software on infected machines. Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 18 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-destruct

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-destruct was in 1968

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-destruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-destruct. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on self-destruct

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!