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
And since Felix is sober after a long period of self-destructive behavior himself, this creates some interesting tension.
—
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
Assertiveness in business should be strategic, not self-destructive.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Rather, the two wrote, the downgrades were the result of a self-destructive scheme by electric companies to undermine Gillett by arranging with ratings agencies to reduce their own credit worthiness.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2025
Following years of reportedly going in and out of rehab to overcome a self-destructive battle with alcoholism, actor Michael Madsen had been making strides in recent months to stay sober, before his sudden death last Thursday at age 67, sources close to the actor said.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 July 2025
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Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
Assertiveness in business should be strategic, not self-destructive.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Rather, the two wrote, the downgrades were the result of a self-destructive scheme by electric companies to undermine Gillett by arranging with ratings agencies to reduce their own credit worthiness.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2025
Following years of reportedly going in and out of rehab to overcome a self-destructive battle with alcoholism, actor Michael Madsen had been making strides in recent months to stay sober, before his sudden death last Thursday at age 67, sources close to the actor said.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 7 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 21 Jul. 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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