self-destruction

noun

self-de·​struc·​tion ˌself-di-ˈstrək-shən How to pronounce self-destruction (audio)
: destruction of oneself
especially : suicide

Examples of self-destruction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Across its four previous episodes, the show has examined its protagonists’ confusion, self-destruction, and despair, creating an intimate portrait of how geographic rootlessness can yield paralyzing melancholy. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2024 What’s astonishing about this show, though — aside from the central performances, which are superb, and Guettel’s anxious, spiky, sumptuous score, which grabs hold of us and doesn’t let go — is the way its devastating chic snuggles right up to catastrophic self-destruction. Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2024 Her daughter is described in stark extremes: a once-cherubic infant who’s now a churlish adolescent bent on self-destruction. Naomi Huffman, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2024 Brash, hilarious Roth satirizes American self-destruction, leaving Nolan, Scorsese, and Gerwig with moral and ideological blood on their hands. Armond White, National Review, 5 Jan. 2024 To move away from feedback loops of self-destruction and violence. David Lipset, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2024 There wasn’t much for Sibley to object to, beyond Giuliani’s general self-destruction. Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2023 In the seven years since her debut album, SZA’s ability to wrangle self-destruction in her songwriting has grown to darker, pettier heights—even better, she’s decided to outright reject the idea that maturity is a prerequisite for growth. Pitchfork, 12 Dec. 2023 Re-platforming Jones will surely be seen in the corporate world as another sign of impulsive, reckless management and an appetite for self-destruction. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-destruction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-destruction was circa 1586

Dictionary Entries Near self-destruction

Cite this Entry

“Self-destruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-destruction. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-destruction

noun
self-de·​struc·​tion
ˌself-di-ˈstrək-shən
: destruction of oneself
especially : suicide sense 1
self-destructive
-ˈstrək-tiv
adjective

Medical Definition

self-destruction

noun
self-de·​struc·​tion -di-ˈstrək-shən How to pronounce self-destruction (audio)
: destruction of oneself
especially : suicide
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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