self-destruction

American  

[self-di-struhk-shuhn, self-] / ˈsɛlf dɪˈstrʌk ʃən, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. the destruction or ruination of oneself or one's life.

2. suicide.

---

self-destruction British  

noun

1. the act or an instance of self-destructing

---

Etymology

Origin of self-destruction

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

Europe’s savage self-destruction reunited techne and themis: the technologies of the Industrial Revolution and the ideologies of the French Revolution.

From The Wall Street Journal

This is a losing battle by definition, one that testifies to the nihilistic self-hatred and appetite for self-destruction that Baudrillard observed in 2002.

From Salon

Their penchant for self-destruction has clearly been part of their preamble this time around.

From BBC

"Because the war can last for a long time while the self-destruction happens after three to four months. It makes sense of the humanitarian side, not on the military side."

From Barron's

"Our particles push that stress a little further -- enough to trigger self-destruction in cancer cells, while healthy cells cope just fine."

From Science Daily