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
By indulging his endless, self-destructive reserves of contempt, Doug chances upon a truth, not unlike what Oliver Stone did with JFK.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
What ensued, though, was volatile, self-destructive, mayhem.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Far from self-destructive, the Rapanui proved remarkably resilient.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
According to Fat Mike, the documentary does not shy away from the most extreme, uncomfortable or self-destructive chapters of the group’s history.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-destructive
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.
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
What ensued, though, was volatile, self-destructive, mayhem.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Far from self-destructive, the Rapanui proved remarkably resilient.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
According to Fat Mike, the documentary does not shy away from the most extreme, uncomfortable or self-destructive chapters of the group’s history.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2026
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 14 Feb. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
