suicidal

American  

[soo-uh-sahyd-l] / ˌsu əˈsaɪd l /

adjective

1. pertaining to, involving, or suggesting suicide.

2. tending or leading to suicide.

3. foolishly or rashly dangerous.

   He drives at a suicidal speed.

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suicidal British  

/ ˌsjuː-, ˌsuːɪˈsaɪdəl /

adjective

1. involving, indicating, or tending towards suicide

2. liable to result in suicide

   a suicidal attempt

3. liable to destroy one's own interests or prospects; dangerously rash

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Other Word Forms

• pseudosuicidal adjective
• suicidally adverb
• unsuicidal adjective
• unsuicidally adverb

Etymology

Origin of suicidal

First recorded in 1770–80; suicide + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Autistic youth experience depression and suicidal thoughts at higher rates than non-autistic peers.

From Los Angeles Times

That involves developing mechanisms for what he describes as “avalanche decoupling”—basically the kind of total economic isolation that makes a war not just expensive, but suicidal for the Chinese economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Advice from a survivor of suicidal depression: Lean into the unknown.

From Los Angeles Times

It helps young people identify signs of suicidal thoughts in their peers and provides guidance on how to respond.

From BBC

Another audience member sensitively played Sam, the narrator’s love of his life, a relationship that reveals the long-term toll of being raised by a parent suffering from suicidal depression.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dangerous
• deadly
• depressed
• destructive
• fatal
• lethal