as in to implode
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Recent Examples of self-destruct
So, when it is confirmed that the FBI can extract incoming Signal messages on an iPhone in the physical possession of agents, even if the Signal app itself has already been deleted, and messages were set to self-destruct, alarm bells tend to sound.
—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2026
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
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
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-destruct
Verb
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The bubble then did not implode because too many people misunderstood the internet’s potential.
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With a goalkeeping howler and a red card, Marcelo Bielsa’s side self-imploded at the end of a bitterly disappointing tournament.
Verb
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Jan Paul van Hecke of the Netherlands has been involved in two scraps already, the latest when he was hit while going for a header and crumbled, perhaps exaggerating a tad, after Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi challenged the header, as well.
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Survivors say that doors to the facility were locked and that migrants were left to die inside crumbling walls.
Verb
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Stars have spoken about plastic surgery for different reasons over the years — some in the hope of normalizing cosmetic work, others to be upfront about the struggles that led them to go under the knife.
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Opponents will go under every screen against him unless that improves.
Cite this Entry
“Self-destruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-destruct. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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