suicidal ideation
noun
: the act of thinking about or a state of preoccupation with ending one's own life : the act of considering or planning suicide
He had been hospitalized several times for depression and suicidal ideation: the previous summer he had checked himself into a hospital in Laramie.—
Melanie Thernstrom
Melanie ThernstromAlleviating gender dysphoria and aligning gender expression with identity through these treatments can lower stress, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and significantly lessen suicidal ideation.—Orion Rummler
Orion RummlerExamples of suicidal ideation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cornish was an alcoholic and had dealt with depression and suicidal ideation for decades, Ellis said.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
Investigators previously said Grube had suicidal ideations, harbored anti-police sentiments and was pulled from the truck covered in gasoline.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
When a child or young adult shows signs of anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm or suicidal ideation, indecision and adult conflict can deepen the harm.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit said that Lindsay was suffering from stress and anxiety that developed into worse symptoms including numbness, insomnia, paranoia, and eventually suicidal ideation.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
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Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
Investigators previously said Grube had suicidal ideations, harbored anti-police sentiments and was pulled from the truck covered in gasoline.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
When a child or young adult shows signs of anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm or suicidal ideation, indecision and adult conflict can deepen the harm.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit said that Lindsay was suffering from stress and anxiety that developed into worse symptoms including numbness, insomnia, paranoia, and eventually suicidal ideation.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for suicidal ideation
Cite this Entry
“Suicidal ideation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suicidal%20ideation. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
suicidal ideation
noun
: the act of thinking about or a state of preoccupation with ending one's own life : the act of considering or planning suicide
Depression appears to be one of the strongest predictors of suicidal ideation but does not appear to distinguish those who have attempted suicide from those who have experienced suicidal ideation without attempts.—E. David Klonsky et al., Annual Review of Clinical Psychology
E. David Klonsky et al., Annual Review of Clinical PsychologyBurnout among medical students seems to be an important predictor of subsequent suicidal ideation even without symptoms of depression.—Liselotte N. Dyrbye et al., Annals of Internal Medicine
Liselotte N. Dyrbye et al., Annals of Internal MedicineLove words? Need even more definitions?
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