self-destruct
verb
self-de·struct
ˌself-di-ˈstrəkt 
self-destructed; self-destructing; self-destructs
: to destroy oneself or itself
self-destruct
adjective
Examples of self-destruct in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In that kind of disaster scenario, the crew capsule separates to save the astronauts, and the rocket self-destructs to avoid risk to people on the ground in its flight path.
—
Charlie Gile, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
Many versions are programmed with a self-destruct timer that can deactivate them after several hours or days.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Engineers also replaced batteries in the rocket's self-destruct system, recharged a variety of other batteries and replaced seals in the first stage liquid oxygen propellant umbilical mechanism.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Food and Drug Administration official Vinay Prasad self-destructed last week.
—Matthew Herper, STAT, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-destruct
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Charlie Gile, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
Many versions are programmed with a self-destruct timer that can deactivate them after several hours or days.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Engineers also replaced batteries in the rocket's self-destruct system, recharged a variety of other batteries and replaced seals in the first stage liquid oxygen propellant umbilical mechanism.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Food and Drug Administration official Vinay Prasad self-destructed last week.
—Matthew Herper, STAT, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-destruct
Cite this Entry
“Self-destruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-destruct. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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