suicidal

adjective

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sui·cid·al | \ ˌsü-ə-ˈsī-dᵊl

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

Other Words from suicidal Example Sentences Learn More About suicidal

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 Among the grim discoveries: In one survey, 13.5 percent of U.K. teen girls said their suicidal thoughts became more frequent after joining Instagram. — Taylore Glynn, Allure, 14 Jan. 2022 Repeatedly, the company’s researchers found that a sizable percentage of them, most notably teenage girls, traced increases in anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts to time spent on Instagram. — WSJ, 12 Jan. 2022 One in four providers said suicidal thoughts were among the top reasons clients were seeking therapy. — Tara Parker-pope, Christina Caron And Mónica Cordero Sancho, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2021 School shooters usually show signs of distress prior to the incident, and were often suicidal, according to two criminologists who built a database of mass shootings in the U.S. — Koby Levin And Ethan Bakuli, Detroit Free Press, 4 Dec. 2021 Utah police now banned from shooting at people who are suicidal but only a threat to themselves [Tribune]. — Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 May 2021 The lawsuit says Montgomery is suicidal and suffers from a multitude of psychological disorders. — Kevin Krause, Dallas News, 8 Dec. 2020 Smith is known for his side-splitting comedy, but through the book, readers also learn about his mental health struggles and battles with suicidal ideation, among other things. — Brandon Tensley, CNN, 25 Dec. 2021 Government statistics detail a surge in crime, domestic abuse, substance abuse, alcoholism, and suicidal ideation. — Steve Brozak, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2021

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.