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Synonyms

suicidal

American  
[soo-uh-sahyd-l] / ˌsu əˈsaɪd l /

adjective

  1. pertaining to, involving, or suggesting suicide.

  2. tending or leading to suicide.

  3. foolishly or rashly dangerous.

    He drives at a suicidal speed.


suicidal British  
/ ˌsuːɪˈsaɪdəl, ˌsjuː- /

adjective

  1. involving, indicating, or tending towards suicide

  2. liable to result in suicide

    a suicidal attempt

  3. liable to destroy one's own interests or prospects; dangerously rash

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of suicidal

First recorded in 1770–80; suicide + -al 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

A charity has said it is "terrified" new mums suffering from suicidal thoughts will be left with nowhere to turn if its group sessions end due to funding pressures.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

In a wrongful death claim filed Sept. 21, Magaña’s family said authorities were aware of his lifelong struggles with mental health and were told during his booking that he had expressed suicidal ideations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2026

Economic hardship, rising poverty, insecurity and social isolation are among the drivers of mental illness and suicidal behaviour, according to the APN.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

In the three major biggest nuclear countries, the United States, Russia and China, the people involved with those nuclear forces know that a purposeful attack is essentially suicidal.

From Salon ● Jun. 15, 2026

Even those who survived its perils warned others against going, calling it suicidal, and telling them to expect nothing less than catastrophe.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

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