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
As her behavior becomes increasingly troubling and self-destructive, Bear realizes he’s trapped in her jealous loop, the only way out through death.
—
Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026
After his self-destructive behavior drives Haruka’s ghost away, father and daughter set out in search of her, confronting grief, memory, and the possibility of spiritual reconciliation.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 May 2026
Over the course of Obsession's 108-minute runtime, Nikki transforms into an self-destructive, possessive, and dangerously violent shadow of her former self as Bear's spell forces her to fixate solely on her unnatural devotion to him—no matter the cost.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 15 May 2026
What could be a tonal whiplash instead feels seamless, thanks in no small part to Eyre-Morgan, whose performance anchors his lead’s self-destructive spiral.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
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Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026
After his self-destructive behavior drives Haruka’s ghost away, father and daughter set out in search of her, confronting grief, memory, and the possibility of spiritual reconciliation.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 May 2026
Over the course of Obsession's 108-minute runtime, Nikki transforms into an self-destructive, possessive, and dangerously violent shadow of her former self as Bear's spell forces her to fixate solely on her unnatural devotion to him—no matter the cost.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 15 May 2026
What could be a tonal whiplash instead feels seamless, thanks in no small part to Eyre-Morgan, whose performance anchors his lead’s self-destructive spiral.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 4 May 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 24 May. 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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