self-destruction

[ self-di-struhk-shuhn, self- ]

noun

1. the destruction or ruination of oneself or one's life.
2. suicide.

self-destruction

noun

1. the act or an instance of self-destructing

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-destruction¹

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

Whether a different candidate might have produced a different result is unknowable, but as I’ve already suggested, this outcome was likely overdetermined by the Democratic Party’s trajectory of self-destruction.

From Salon

This downward spiral of self-destruction isn't subtle; it is why there are so many "divorced dude energy" jokes about Trump voters.

From Salon

The solution used three encryption standards and offered the option to send a message followed by a specific code that results in self-destruction of all messages on the target phone.

From BBC

The book stuck with Waterhouse, particularly the sentiment that “you’re just running into self-destruction and there’s this huge hole in your heart that you’re trying to fill with love and nothing’s working to fill it.”

From Los Angeles Times

I think Truman showed great restraint for a very long time, so when he did go off the rails, he went farther, deeper and longer, in terms of his self-destruction, than most people.

From Los Angeles Times