suicidal

adjective

sui·​cid·​al ˌsü-ə-ˈsī-dᵊl 

1

a

: 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

suicidally adverb

Example Sentences

psychiatrists working with suicidal patients

He knows that supporting a tax increase would be politically suicidal.

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Medical Definition

suicidal

adjective

sui·​cid·​al ˌsü-ə-ˈsīd-ᵊl 

1

: of, relating to, or tending to cause suicide

suicidal tendencies

2

: marked by an impulse to commit suicide

suicidal patients

suicidally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb