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suicidal

adjective
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sui·​cid·​al | \ ˌsü-ə-ˈsī-dᵊl How to pronounce suicidal (audio) \

Definition of suicidal

1a : dangerous especially to life
b : destructive to one's own interests
2 : relating to or of the nature of suicide
3 : marked by an impulse to commit suicide
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Other Words from suicidal

suicidally adverb

Examples of suicidal in a Sentence

psychiatrists working with suicidal patients He knows that supporting a tax increase would be politically suicidal.
Recent Examples on the Web Hayman knows of about 10 students who have landed in the emergency room or mental-health programs for crises such as panic attacks or expressing suicidal thoughts. — Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, "How one school counselor is trying to tackle a pandemic mental health crisis," 27 Dec. 2020 There are patients who admit suicidal thoughts under the crushing weight of pandemic isolation. — Marc Lester, Anchorage Daily News, "An Anchorage nurse began her career just as the pandemic reached Alaska. “I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” she said.," 26 Dec. 2020 Our pediatric wards are filling not with those suffering from respiratory symptoms but with teenagers coping with eating disorders and suicidal thoughts. — Star Tribune, "Readers Write: Senior care facilities, kids and the pandemic, Twin Metals, Line 3, mistletoe," 22 Dec. 2020 In-depth discussions of suicidal thoughts and eating disorders are ahead. — Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, "The Bachelorette Needs To Break Up With Trauma Porn," 9 Dec. 2020 Michele Papakie, chair of the journalism and public relations department at I.U.P., regularly counsels students who get pregnant unexpectedly, feel suicidal or are just overwhelmed. — New York Times, "How the Pandemic Is Imperiling a Working-Class College," 28 Dec. 2020 The slugs and snails will make a suicidal leap into the beer. — Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, "Calvin Finch: How to kill the pests eating your winter garden in San Antonio," 26 Dec. 2020 The new treatments for depression promise to relieve distressing symptoms, including suicidal thinking, faster than any previous treatment. — Nicholas Mischel, oregonlive, "New antidepressants act fast but relief comes with risk: The Conversation," 22 Dec. 2020 Investigators said Shiraishi approached the victims via Twitter, offering to assist them with their suicidal wishes. — Mari Yamaguchi, USA TODAY, "Japan's ‘Twitter killer’ sentenced to death for gruesome murders of nine people," 16 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suicidal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of suicidal

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Time Traveler for suicidal

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The first known use of suicidal was in 1777

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Statistics for suicidal

Last Updated

7 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Suicidal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suicidal. Accessed 15 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for suicidal

suicidal

adjective
How to pronounce suicidal (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of suicidal

: wanting to kill yourself : showing a desire to kill yourself
: extremely dangerous : likely to cause your death : likely to cause great harm to yourself

See the full definition for suicidal in the English Language Learners Dictionary

suicidal

adjective
sui·​cid·​al | \ ˌsü-ə-ˈsīd-ᵊl How to pronounce suicidal (audio) \

Medical Definition of suicidal

1 : of, relating to, or tending to cause suicide suicidal tendencies
2 : marked by an impulse to commit suicide suicidal patients

Other Words from suicidal

suicidally \ -​ᵊl-​ē How to pronounce suicidal (audio) \ adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on suicidal

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for suicidal

Nglish: Translation of suicidal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of suicidal for Arabic Speakers

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