self-destruction

noun

self-de·​struc·​tion ˌself-di-ˈstrək-shən 

: destruction of oneself

especially : suicide

Synonyms of self-destruction

• suicide

Examples of self-destruction in a Sentence

the controversy over self-destruction accomplished with the assistance of a physician or other person

Recent Examples on the Web

By this point in the film, Davies and her team had already done a lot of work, giving the space an emotional trajectory similar to Cathy and Heathcliff’s self-destruction over their feelings for each other. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026

In the case of the misbegotten At the Sea, Amy Adams stars as Laura, a wife, mother and daughter who sees all of those parts of her life collide into self-destruction after a drunk-driving accident with her son Felix (Redding Munsell) in the car. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026

But the plan backfires because no one who doesn’t personally know Eric and Harper can understand the peculiar strains of ambition and self-destruction that fuel them. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026

In this succession of adaptations, each filmmaker has gradually softened the original form—a dark and twisted story of obsession, generational trauma, and self-destruction—into something that more closely resembles a wild, cinematic love story. —Cazzie David, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-destruction

• aqueducts
• reconstructs
• conducts
• constructs
• deducts
• instructs
• obstructs
• ducts

Kids Definition

self-destruction

noun

self-de·​struc·​tion

ˌself-di-ˈstrək-shən

: destruction of oneself

especially : suicide sense 1

self-destructive

-ˈstrək-tiv

adjective

Medical Definition

self-destruction

noun

self-de·​struc·​tion -di-ˈstrək-shən 

: destruction of oneself

especially : suicide