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.
In other cases, however, the cells don’t follow this self-destructive route. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 Stopping a team on third down only to have a penalty grant the opponent a first down is self-destructive – and would be especially so against Mater Dei if the Monarchs offense gets it together. Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025 My protagonist in Sister Creatures, Tess, who grew up in rural Louisiana just like me, is a self-destructive college dropout with an alcohol problem and a horror obsession. Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025 And maybe that is self-destructive. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Self-destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-destructive. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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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