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

What emerges is an unvarnished chronicle: flashes of vision and vulnerability, spectacle and self-destruction, all captured through the lens of a young cameraman embedded in Ye’s orbit.

From Los Angeles Times

Cultural stagnation is a form of willed self-destruction at the popular level.

From Salon

How much longer will Black Americans and the heirs to other great freedom struggles keep sacrificing for a country that is choosing self-destruction — for a nation accelerating toward fascism?

From Salon

Garner excels at pale, quiet girls like Justine who are all nervous energy and self-destruction.

From Los Angeles Times

"And a lot of voices came into my head. Criticism, self-destruction, labelling yourself not good enough. All of those negative things made it harder for me to perform."

From BBC