self-sabotage

American  

[self-sab-uh-tahzh] / ˈsɛlfˈsæb əˌtɑʒ /

Or self sabotage

noun

1. the act or habit of behaving in a way that interferes directly with one’s own goals, well-being, relationships, etc., as by comfort eating, procrastination, or lashing out at others.

   If a line worker physically assaults a supervisor, that’s self-sabotage, as there’s every likelihood of dismissal followed by criminal prosecution.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to behave, especially habitually or compulsively, in a way that interferes directly with one’s own goals, well-being, relationships, etc..

   She’ll do OK for a while, and then all of a sudden she’ll self-sabotage by procrastinating and making excuses, and her dreams come to a screeching halt—again.

   Your husband is self-sabotaging the relationship with his gambling.

Etymology

Origin of self-sabotage

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Don’t allow your grief to morph into self-sabotage, allowing the sadness over the loss of your parents to spoil the money they worked so hard for you to enjoy.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 31, 2026

"This is utter madness. It is economic self-sabotage," Peters said in a post on social media.

From Barron's • Oct. 30, 2025

Any form of work stoppage would be a disastrous act of self-sabotage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025

At one point, the car offered to deflate its own tires, not an act of self-sabotage but a premium feature for off-roading in sand.

From Slate • Jun. 22, 2025

At 45, I was a doctor with acquired autoimmune disorder, a long trail of self-sabotage and no idea how to be loved.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2025