1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

self-destruct

verb

Definition of self-destructnext
as in to implode

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of self-destruct Researchers have developed a new type of plastic that can self-destruct on command. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026 So, when it is confirmed that the FBI can extract incoming Signal messages on an iPhone in the physical possession of agents, even if the Signal app itself has already been deleted, and messages were set to self-destruct, alarm bells tend to sound. — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2026 In that kind of disaster scenario, the crew capsule separates to save the astronauts, and the rocket self-destructs to avoid risk to people on the ground in its flight path. — Charlie Gile, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026 Engineers also replaced batteries in the rocket's self-destruct system, recharged a variety of other batteries and replaced seals in the first stage liquid oxygen propellant umbilical mechanism. — William Harwood, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-destruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-destruct
  1. implode
  2. crumble
  3. go under
Verb
  • But rookie starter David Sandlin fell apart in the fifth, and the bullpen imploded in a five-run eighth to give the game away.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • But about five minutes later, a sharp cracking sound momentarily replaced the shrill squeal of sirens, and the top half of the South Tower imploded, bringing the entire thing down.
    — Timothy Townsend, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of implode
Verb
  • Transportation officials posted a video showing severe erosion jeopardizing the train tracks used by Metrolink in San Clemente, with strong ocean waves crashing on the tracks and sediment crumbling onto the rocks below.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The Packers’ identity is that of a team that can’t shut the door, one that crumbles when momentum turns in a hostile away environment.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • Iliman Ndiaye, another City debutant, showed flashes of promise, while Gianluigi Donnarumma made a couple of big saves when needed (the less said about the moment the Italian nearly let the ball go under his foot and over the goal-line, the better).
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • As both players’ clocks go under 10 seconds, hands are flying over the board.
    — Peter Doggers, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of go under

Browse Nearby Words

self-despair
self-destruct
self-destructed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-destruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-destruct. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nemesis

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All