self-destructive
adjective
self-de·struc·tive
ˌself-di-ˈstrək-tiv 
: acting or tending to harm or destroy oneself
self-destructive behavior
self-destructiveness
noun
Examples of self-destructive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
My protagonist in Sister Creatures, Tess, who grew up in rural Louisiana just like me, is a self-destructive college dropout with an alcohol problem and a horror obsession.
—
Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
And maybe that is self-destructive.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
Mehr’s best-selling book, which Rolling Stone named one of the best of its year, documented one of alt-rock’s most influential and self-destructive bands.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
The White House should work with its allies in Congress to explore opportunities to walk back Biden’s price controls, as well as be careful not to chart a similarly self-destructive course.
—Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-destructive
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Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
And maybe that is self-destructive.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
Mehr’s best-selling book, which Rolling Stone named one of the best of its year, documented one of alt-rock’s most influential and self-destructive bands.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
The White House should work with its allies in Congress to explore opportunities to walk back Biden’s price controls, as well as be careful not to chart a similarly self-destructive course.
—Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-destructive
Cite this Entry
“Self-destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-destructive. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
self-destructive
adjective
self-de·struc·tive
-ˈstrək-tiv
: acting or tending to harm or destroy oneself
self-destructive behavior
also
: suicidal
self-destructively
adverb
self-destructiveness
noun
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