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
Recent Examples on the Web
Dawn is not equipped to date an addict in recovery, and Mark’s pursuit of the limelight doesn’t help matters either; her need for attention turns increasingly self-destructive.
—
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025
While in custody, Dale Grogan reportedly began exhibiting increasingly erratic and self-destructive behavior, attempting to gouge out his own eyes while being held in the county jail, prompting deputies to intervene and transport him under guard to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, The Chronology of Water casts the actress as a competitive swimmer who comes to terms with an abusive childhood while navigating self-destructive behavior.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
How to narrow your performance gap The most obvious examples of self-destructive behavior from investors come during market extremes, Ptak says, with over-exuberant investors piling into the market when stocks have already shot up and panic-selling when the market hits the skids.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
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Daniel D'addario, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025
While in custody, Dale Grogan reportedly began exhibiting increasingly erratic and self-destructive behavior, attempting to gouge out his own eyes while being held in the county jail, prompting deputies to intervene and transport him under guard to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, The Chronology of Water casts the actress as a competitive swimmer who comes to terms with an abusive childhood while navigating self-destructive behavior.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
How to narrow your performance gap The most obvious examples of self-destructive behavior from investors come during market extremes, Ptak says, with over-exuberant investors piling into the market when stocks have already shot up and panic-selling when the market hits the skids.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 27 Oct. 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 22 Nov. 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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