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
The legendary singer, songwriter and band leader wondered aloud why anyone would want to do research on him, especially given his decades of self-destructive behavior.
—
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is under severe pressure from President Donald Trump to restart one of the most craven and self-destructive practices of American politics in the 21st century: predatory gerrymandering.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
Indeed, as this person said, Warner had appeared to avoid the self-destructive behavior and turmoil that falls on a lot of actors who begin their Hollywood careers as children or teenagers.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
Despite its self-destructive proclivities, the irritable giant has managed to make, and keep, a friend.
—Robin George Andrews, New York Times, 22 July 2025
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George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is under severe pressure from President Donald Trump to restart one of the most craven and self-destructive practices of American politics in the 21st century: predatory gerrymandering.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
Indeed, as this person said, Warner had appeared to avoid the self-destructive behavior and turmoil that falls on a lot of actors who begin their Hollywood careers as children or teenagers.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
Despite its self-destructive proclivities, the irritable giant has managed to make, and keep, a friend.
—Robin George Andrews, New York Times, 22 July 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 3 Aug. 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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