suicide

[ soo-uh-sahyd ]

noun

1. the intentional taking of one's own life.
2. destruction of one's own interests or prospects:

   Buying that house was financial suicide.

3. a person who intentionally takes their own life.

verb (used without object)

, su·i·cid·ed, su·i·cid·ing.

1. to intentionally end one’s own life; to die by suicide.

verb (used with object)

, su·i·cid·ed, su·i·cid·ing.

1. to kill (oneself ).

suicide

/ ˈsjuː-; ˈsuːɪˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the act or an instance of killing oneself intentionally
2. the self-inflicted ruin of one's own prospects or interests

   a merger would be financial suicide

3. a person who kills himself intentionally
4. modifier reckless; extremely dangerous

   a suicide mission

5. modifier (of an action) undertaken or (of a person) undertaking an action in the knowledge that it will result in the death of the person performing it in order that maximum damage may be inflicted on an enemy

   a suicide attack

   suicide bomber

Sensitive Note

In English, the verb suicide exists (e.g., Many teens who suicide have experienced abuse or bullying ), but its use is rare. Rather, the most common way to express the idea of taking one’s own life uses the noun suicide in the expressions to commit suicide or to attempt suicide . However, the phrase commit suicide is discouraged by major editorial style guides, mental health professionals, and specialists in suicide prevention. The verb commit is associated with crime (in the justice system) and sin (in religion). Using such moralistic language deepens the emotional pain surrounding a suicide. The verb phrases to die by suicide and to end one’s life are now preferred over the common expression commit suicide . The adjectives successful , unsuccessful , and failed are words that should be avoided when describing a suicide or suicide attempt, as is language that either romanticizes or stigmatizes the act. Suicide is undeniably a hard subject to broach. It is okay to talk about suicide; studies show that discussing suicide with someone will not make that person suicidal or increase the likelihood of acting on suicidal ideation. But using language that criminalizes the act is insensitive to those whose lives have been touched by suicide.

Other Words From

• an·ti·su·i·cide adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of suicide¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin suīcīdium, equivalent to Latin suī “of oneself,” genitive singular of reflexive pronoun + Latin combining form -cīda “killer”; -cide

Word History and Origins

Origin of suicide¹

C17: from New Latin suīcīdium, from Latin suī of oneself + -cīdium, from caedere to kill

Example Sentences

The Samaritan guidelines are written around the assumption that suicide is a purely irrational act, an act spurred by illness.

From The Daily Beast

The sad fact is that more than 41 percent of trans people admit making at least one suicide attempt in their lifetime.

From The Daily Beast

But at 45, Branch died of a reported suicide, leaving behind family, friends and a legacy that goes beyond the beauty industry.

From The Daily Beast

One is reported to have blown himself up, along with many victims, but detonating a suicide vest.

From The Daily Beast

When I was in the closet in my twenties, I considered suicide almost every day.

From The Daily Beast

But I cannot imagine myself committing suicide—talk about ugly words!

From Project Gutenberg

Amongst the prisoners were several provincial governors, one of whom attempted to commit suicide.

From Project Gutenberg

If you fight in your boots, we must all do the same, and for myself—well, I have not come here to commit suicide.

From Project Gutenberg

We had hardly lost sight of the slaver before one of our own crew had nearly committed suicide.

From Project Gutenberg

But that arch-fiend had been deserted by the majority of his followers, and he was babbling of suicide to his fellow Brahmins.

From Project Gutenberg