self-destructive
adjective
self-de·struc·tive
ˌself-di-ˈstrək-tiv 
: acting or tending to harm or destroy oneself
self-destructive behavior
self-destructiveness
noun
Examples of self-destructive in a Sentence
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As Suleyman and others have noted, the potential for unhealthy, self-destructive attachment to chatbots is not limited to those already vulnerable or at risk due to mental health issues.
—
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2025
Black Rabbit is a non-stop ride into the dark side of family loyalty at any cost, versus self-destructive ambition and greed.
—Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
After their 3-2 home defeat to Liverpool on Monday — destructive in tempo but also self-destructive — Newcastle are in the throes of picking up the pieces.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
With his deathly pallor and Byronic charm, Stamp was perfect as the self-destructive, swaggering scoundrel who is haunted by visions of a spectral little girl.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
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Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2025
Black Rabbit is a non-stop ride into the dark side of family loyalty at any cost, versus self-destructive ambition and greed.
—Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
After their 3-2 home defeat to Liverpool on Monday — destructive in tempo but also self-destructive — Newcastle are in the throes of picking up the pieces.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
With his deathly pallor and Byronic charm, Stamp was perfect as the self-destructive, swaggering scoundrel who is haunted by visions of a spectral little girl.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-destructive
Cite this Entry
“Self-destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-destructive. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
self-destructive
adjective
self-de·struc·tive
-ˈstrək-tiv
: acting or tending to harm or destroy oneself
self-destructive behavior
also
: suicidal
self-destructively
adverb
self-destructiveness
noun
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