self-annihilation

[self-uh-nahy-uh-ley-shuhn, self-]

noun

1. self-destruction; suicide.

2. surrender, abnegation, or immolation of the self in mystic contemplation of or union with God.

self-annihilation

noun

1. the surrender of the self in mystical contemplation, union with God, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-annihilation¹

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

So many years later, it’s worth critically reassessing the decisions that conferred on humanity such a power of self-annihilation.

From Salon

“I literally thought of self-annihilation so that they could survive. That’s how low I was.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s become so personal to me to be able to just be proud of myself for not having succeeded in my own self-annihilation.

From Los Angeles Times

It's just self-annihilation, with no clear strategy and no clear purpose.

From Salon

The San Francisco Project could end of the century of existential risk that began when the Manhattan Project first made us capable of self-annihilation.

From Salon