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

The British aristocracy is littered with stories of unmitigated spendthrifts who seem bent on self-destruction.

From The Daily Beast

The game has become our modern Passion Play, self-destruction as our highest form of heroism.

From The Daily Beast

But he later expanded on this idea, and said he suffered from what he called the self-destruction switch.

From The Daily Beast

Eli Lake talks with the veteran MC about his new record, ‘Keynote Speaker,’ and ‘self-destruction.’

From The Daily Beast

His life became a morass of anger and self-destruction: suicide attempts, gang activity.

From The Daily Beast

Crazy, he said of his wife; a poor mad thing bent on self-destruction in wild and mournful ways.

From Project Gutenberg

Many times no real reason can be given for these acts of self-destruction.

From Project Gutenberg

Without doubt he was a hardened and depraved wretch; but it is in man's nature to revolt at self-destruction.

From Project Gutenberg

This last sentence several shrewd detectives thought implied that the writer intended self-destruction.

From Project Gutenberg

Never for one instant before had the possibility of the wife's self-destruction occurred to her.

From Project Gutenberg