as in to implode
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Recent Examples of self-destruct
If Becket is willing to kill for control, Julia understands that control often comes from letting other people self-destruct.
—
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
Some are outfitted with dozens of pounds of explosives to self-destruct near fortifications or bridges.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 29 Jan. 2026
Simon insisted that, contrary to Ehrlich’s predictions, humanity would not self-destruct by overusing the planet’s resources.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
The radical outliers self-destruct during the high jinks (they get arrested or killed), but most people exhaust themselves and are happy to return to their workweek lives.
—Chuck Palahniuk, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-destruct
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
Some are outfitted with dozens of pounds of explosives to self-destruct near fortifications or bridges.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 29 Jan. 2026
Simon insisted that, contrary to Ehrlich’s predictions, humanity would not self-destruct by overusing the planet’s resources.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
The radical outliers self-destruct during the high jinks (they get arrested or killed), but most people exhaust themselves and are happy to return to their workweek lives.
—Chuck Palahniuk, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-destruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-destruct
Verb
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Four years after Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt gifted the trophy to Italy, Les Bleus self-imploded during a disastrous 2010 campaign that embarrassingly ended at the group stage.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
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At this time of year, family calendars implode under the weight of school performances, sports tournaments, award ceremonies, teacher gifts, graduation traditions, summer camp forms and holiday travel plans.—
Nina Bandelj,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Verb
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In the background, in the doorway of a crumbling stone building, stands a tiny, faceless figure, her arms held neatly behind her back.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
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But his empire began to crumble in 2022 when FTX filed for bankruptcy after experiencing billions of dollars in net withdrawals, fueling panic in the crypto industry.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Hartford’s City Council adopted its $633 million budget May 20 including a $10 million increase in education funding directly contingent on the board choosing to go under the oversight of MARB.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2026
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Private businesses, too, have a tough go under this plan.—
Daniel Bunn,
Oc Register,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-destruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-destruct. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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