death wish

noun

: the conscious or unconscious desire for the death of oneself or of another

Examples of death wish in a Sentence

Have you seen the way she drives? She must have a death wish.
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.
Speaking of death wishes, Vic is losing control of this new version of himself with the nice home and girlfriend, acting like his criminal heritage doesn’t exist. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2026 Since the GoFundMe story broke, Rourke has continued to surface in the news like a celebrity on some twisted PR death wish. Chris Nashawaty, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026 Michaela Dorfmeister, the two-time Olympic champion, went so far as to ask if Vonn had a death wish? Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 10 Jan. 2026 The Big Other grants the Deliriant’s death wish, but in her own way. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for death wish

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of death wish was in 1856

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Cite this Entry

“Death wish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20wish. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.

Medical Definition

death wish

noun
: the conscious or unconscious desire for the death of another or of oneself

called also destrudo

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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