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
Despite its outsized influence in music and putting Seattle’s culture on the map, the grunge movement was, inherently, somewhat self-destructive, leaving behind few icons of the era.
—
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
The ones who did—including the former House members Katie Porter and Eric Swalwell—were deeply flawed, self-destructive, or both, while a host of other unknowns and has-beens—including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa—went nowhere.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
When Clark rejects the truth, forcing Mary to validate his delusions, the self-destructive circle closes and Clark is consumed by himself.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The result is a self-destructive integration that threatens to bring down the Internet’s greatest monopoly.
—Sunil Sharan, Fortune, 27 May 2026
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Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
The ones who did—including the former House members Katie Porter and Eric Swalwell—were deeply flawed, self-destructive, or both, while a host of other unknowns and has-beens—including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa—went nowhere.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
When Clark rejects the truth, forcing Mary to validate his delusions, the self-destructive circle closes and Clark is consumed by himself.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The result is a self-destructive integration that threatens to bring down the Internet’s greatest monopoly.
—Sunil Sharan, Fortune, 27 May 2026
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 10 Jun. 2026.
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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