self-destructive

adjective

self-de·​struc·​tive ˌself-di-ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce self-destructive (audio)
: acting or tending to harm or destroy oneself
self-destructive behavior
also : suicidal
a self-destructive impulse
self-destructiveness noun

Examples of self-destructive 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.
But Jia En’s encouraging news is rejected by Adik, whose self-destructive impulses and lingering anger over past events trigger a tragedy that forces the brothers to flee their home and become fugitives. Richard Kuipers, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024 As always, Trump’s self-destructive impulses posed a challenge. Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 6 Nov. 2024 Deliberately shrinking a country’s labor force is both broadly and deeply self-destructive. Adam S. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2024 Godfrey, the author of The Torn Skirt, a novel about the effects of a self-destructive girlhood, felt compelled to report on what happened, and why. Sarah Weinman, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for self-destructive 

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-destructive was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near self-destructive

Cite this Entry

“Self-destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-destructive. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

self-destructive

adjective
self-de·​struc·​tive -ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce self-destructive (audio)
: acting or tending to harm or destroy oneself
self-destructive behavior
also : suicidal
self-destructively adverb
self-destructiveness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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