self-inflicted

adjective

self-in·​flict·​ed ˌself-in-ˈflik-təd How to pronounce self-inflicted (audio)
Synonyms of self-inflictednext
: inflicted or caused by oneself
a self-inflicted wound
His staff problems are self-inflicted, the product of his poor judgment and bad choices.The Guardian (United Kingdom)

Examples of self-inflicted in a Sentence

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.
If the Knicks are to lose to these Hawks, the loss will be self-inflicted, as will the ramifications of falling so far short of ownership’s NBA Finals or bust mandate. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026 Alicia García-Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis Bank, said that while the crisis is not self-inflicted, fiscal space is far more constrained than in 1997 due to higher public-debt levels and limited room for aggressive stimulus. Anniek Bao,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026 The two officers then fired their weapons at Collier, who was found in the back of his vehicle dead with three gunshot wounds, including one that was self-inflicted, according to the DA's office. Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026 And in today’s economy, Wherry said consumers should try to move away from the mindset that financial hardship is self-caused or self-inflicted. William Tong, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-inflicted

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-inflicted was in 1600

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Cite this Entry

“Self-inflicted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-inflicted. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

self-inflicted

adjective
self-in·​flict·​ed
ˌsel-fin-ˈflik-təd
: inflicted by oneself
a self-inflicted wound

Medical Definition

self-inflicted

adjective
self-in·​flict·​ed -in-ˈflik-təd How to pronounce self-inflicted (audio)
: inflicted by oneself
a self-inflicted wound

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