self-murder

American  

[self-mur-der] / ˈsɛlfˈmɜr dər /

noun

plural

self-murders

1. the act of ending one's own life; suicide (sometimes used in historical contexts).

2. any action that is highly destructive to oneself or one's ambitions.

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Other Word Forms

• self-murderer noun

Example Sentences

But why were people prosecuted for attempted "self-murder" and how did things change?

From BBC • Aug. 3, 2011

At this moment, a voice issuing from the dungeon where the missionaries were confined, at once dispelled his fears as to the prisoners, and arrested him almost in the very act of self-murder.

From The Ancient Church Its History, Doctrine, Worship, and Constitution by Killen, W. D. (William Dool)

The lieutenant, having surveyed the dismal appearance of his friend, could not help being moved at the spectacle, and began to upbraid him with his obstinate pride, which, he swore, was no better than self-murder.

From The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle by Smollett, T. (Tobias)

Here, too, we are freed, at the commencement, from all supposition of self-murder.

From The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 1 by Willis, Nathaniel Parker

Not that he would really incite the beasts to dispatch him, without a special inspiration, because that would have been self-murder; but this expresses the courage and desire of his soul.

From The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints January, February, March by Butler, Alban