death wish

American  

noun

1. desire for one's own death or for the death of another.

2. Psychiatry.  a suicidal desire, manifested by passivity, withdrawal, and absorption in nihilistic thoughts, that may eventually lead to suicidal behavior.

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death wish British  

noun

1. (in Freudian psychology) the desire for self-annihilation See also Thanatos

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Etymology

Origin of death wish

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Versions of Timothy Ratliff’s death wish fantasy play out over several episodes of “The White Lotus,” but each involves a gun.

From Salon

There's racism, right-wing propaganda, a failing information environment, and perhaps an American death wish.

From Salon

An attack on him was a "death wish by the attacker" he said, and he thanked Congress for approving more money for the Secret Service.

From BBC

Reichert’s backers warn choosing Bird would amount to a political death wish in Washington, where the GOP hasn’t won a governor’s race since 1980 and is currently shut out of every statewide office.

From Seattle Times

In the Northwest, winter hiking can feel like an exercise in misery at best and a possible death wish at worst, but not in Arizona.

From Seattle Times