as in to implode
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Recent Examples of self-destruct
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
Today’s software needs to prevent problems from happening, not proliferate them or self-destruct.
—Laura Crabtree, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025
Halfmann found it a bit unsettling to think that so many cells carry these self-destruct buttons just waiting to be pushed.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 16 Oct. 2025
Texas didn't cash in on that turnover, but Oklahoma continued to self-destruct offensively.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-destruct
Chuck Palahniuk, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Today’s software needs to prevent problems from happening, not proliferate them or self-destruct.
—Laura Crabtree, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025
Halfmann found it a bit unsettling to think that so many cells carry these self-destruct buttons just waiting to be pushed.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 16 Oct. 2025
Texas didn't cash in on that turnover, but Oklahoma continued to self-destruct offensively.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-destruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-destruct
Verb
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Bree and Wrigley finally get it on, Lucy’s life implodes into teeny tiny pieces and she gets kicked out of college, Bree’s bio mom is an idiot in a horrifying scene involving that predatory perv Oliver, and Diana gets Yale back while falling even harder for Pippa.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
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Friendships and couples form only to implode, and eight years’ worth of secrets, lies, and betrayals come to a head in the series finale.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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George Washington's chin is crumbling.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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After Malinin botched his final free in the singles competition, Cowan kept his distance as the skater crumbled into a grimace of abject disappointment.—
Colleen Barry,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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However, after seeking a fourth medical opinion and a discussion between all parties, Glasner said the 28-year-old would continue to manage the injury rather than go under the knife.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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In the other, a lot of people go under.—
Josh Tyrangiel,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-destruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-destruct. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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