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
In the most compelling parts of the book, Vanzant writes candidly about herself as a mother frantically trying to save her youngest daughter Nisa from self-destructive patterns.
—
Essence, 29 Dec. 2025
Their tension has left an opening for Eight (Linnea Berthelsen) to convince Eleven to partake in her own self-destructive plan heading into the finale.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Marty isn’t getting mixed up with criminals and flirting with married actors on a self-destructive impulse, like Adam Sandler’s gambling addict in Uncut Gems or Robert Pattinson’s petty criminal in Good Time, another pulse-quickening Safdie-brothers production.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 Dec. 2025
New Orleans came all the way back to edge the self-destructive Panthers, 20-17, on Sunday on a last-second field goal.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Dec. 2025
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Essence, 29 Dec. 2025
Their tension has left an opening for Eight (Linnea Berthelsen) to convince Eleven to partake in her own self-destructive plan heading into the finale.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Marty isn’t getting mixed up with criminals and flirting with married actors on a self-destructive impulse, like Adam Sandler’s gambling addict in Uncut Gems or Robert Pattinson’s petty criminal in Good Time, another pulse-quickening Safdie-brothers production.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 Dec. 2025
New Orleans came all the way back to edge the self-destructive Panthers, 20-17, on Sunday on a last-second field goal.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Dec. 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 1 Jan. 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
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