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
Bedecked with antique furniture and genealogical tapestries, the home is a significant change of place for a clique of self-destructive 20-something co-workers more often surrounded by the glass-and-fluorescent despair of their highly competitive London offices.
—
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2024
According to Sakharov, the obliteration of intellectual freedom by dictators in their efforts to maintain power resulted in the mental and moral degradation of society, and was therefore self-destructive.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 17 May 2024
This represents a turning point to come back to the self after a period of potentially self-destructive behaviors or thought patterns.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2023
Stylianou adds that beyond the vampiric romance, the film explores the addictive nature of modern society, drawing parallels between Thomas’s entanglement with Rhea and contemporary social and self-destructive behaviors.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 May 2024
Newton is damaged and self-obsessed and self-destructive, but the dominant tone is still one of general adulation and consistent evasion of anything that would permanently obscure that.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024
As grand metaphors for self-destructive behavior go, this is a pretty clever one.
—Chris Bellamy and Stephanie Kaloi, EW.com, 2 May 2024
By the 20th century the type (or stereotype, really) could fit all manner of wild and self-destructive creators, especially men, from Dylan Thomas to the Doors' Jim Morrison.
—Stephanie Burt, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Great image for an iconic series, awful choice for a fictional self-destructive leading man.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 31 Mar. 2024
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2024
According to Sakharov, the obliteration of intellectual freedom by dictators in their efforts to maintain power resulted in the mental and moral degradation of society, and was therefore self-destructive.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 17 May 2024
This represents a turning point to come back to the self after a period of potentially self-destructive behaviors or thought patterns.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2023
Stylianou adds that beyond the vampiric romance, the film explores the addictive nature of modern society, drawing parallels between Thomas’s entanglement with Rhea and contemporary social and self-destructive behaviors.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 May 2024
Newton is damaged and self-obsessed and self-destructive, but the dominant tone is still one of general adulation and consistent evasion of anything that would permanently obscure that.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024
As grand metaphors for self-destructive behavior go, this is a pretty clever one.
—Chris Bellamy and Stephanie Kaloi, EW.com, 2 May 2024
By the 20th century the type (or stereotype, really) could fit all manner of wild and self-destructive creators, especially men, from Dylan Thomas to the Doors' Jim Morrison.
—Stephanie Burt, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Great image for an iconic series, awful choice for a fictional self-destructive leading man.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 31 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-destructive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near self-destructive
Cite this Entry
“Self-destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-destructive. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
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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