suicidal

adjective

sui·​cid·​al ˌsü-ə-ˈsī-dᵊl How to pronounce suicidal (audio)
1
a
: dangerous especially to life
b
: destructive to one's own interests
2
: relating to or of the nature of suicide
3
: marked by an impulse to commit suicide
suicidally adverb

Examples of suicidal in a Sentence

psychiatrists working with suicidal patients He knows that supporting a tax increase would be politically suicidal.

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of suicidal was in 1768

Dictionary Entries Near suicidal

Cite this Entry

“Suicidal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suicidal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

suicidal

adjective
sui·​cid·​al ˌsü-ə-ˈsīd-ᵊl How to pronounce suicidal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or tending to cause suicide
suicidal tendencies
2
: marked by an impulse to commit suicide
suicidal patients
suicidally adverb
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