suicidal ideation
noun
: the act of thinking about or a state of preoccupation with ending one's own life : the act of considering or planning suicide
He had been hospitalized several times for depression and suicidal ideation: the previous summer he had checked himself into a hospital in Laramie.—
Melanie Thernstrom
Melanie ThernstromAlleviating gender dysphoria and aligning gender expression with identity through these treatments can lower stress, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and significantly lessen suicidal ideation.—Orion Rummler
Orion RummlerExamples of suicidal ideation in a Sentence
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Some of the negative physical and mental health outcomes that can occur as a result of the disorder include gastrointestinal issues, infertility, suicidal ideation, pubertal delay, anxiety, depression, anemia, skin issues, osteoporosis and heart conditions such as bradycardia.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Research suggests that heavy screen time and social media engagement are strongly linked with higher levels of social isolation, lower well-being, and increased risk of suicidal ideation.
—Dale Whelehan, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Moreover, loneliness contributes to higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.
—John Hewko, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
People with the condition are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 7 Dec. 2024
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Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Research suggests that heavy screen time and social media engagement are strongly linked with higher levels of social isolation, lower well-being, and increased risk of suicidal ideation.
—Dale Whelehan, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Moreover, loneliness contributes to higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.
—John Hewko, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
People with the condition are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 7 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for suicidal ideation
Cite this Entry
“Suicidal ideation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suicidal%20ideation. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
suicidal ideation
noun
: the act of thinking about or a state of preoccupation with ending one's own life : the act of considering or planning suicide
Depression appears to be one of the strongest predictors of suicidal ideation but does not appear to distinguish those who have attempted suicide from those who have experienced suicidal ideation without attempts.—E. David Klonsky et al., Annual Review of Clinical Psychology
E. David Klonsky et al., Annual Review of Clinical PsychologyBurnout among medical students seems to be an important predictor of subsequent suicidal ideation even without symptoms of depression.—Liselotte N. Dyrbye et al., Annals of Internal Medicine
Liselotte N. Dyrbye et al., Annals of Internal MedicineLove words? Need even more definitions?
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