suicidal

[soo-uh-sahyd-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

/ ˌsjuː-, ˌsuːɪˈsaɪdəl /

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

Other Word Forms

• suicidally adverb
• pseudosuicidal adjective
• unsuicidal adjective
• unsuicidally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of suicidal¹

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

Example Sentences

Scientists have found that people receiving treatment for mental health conditions who also have skin problems may face a higher risk of severe outcomes, including depression and suicidal thoughts.

Read more on Science Daily

"Finally, there is a law that requires companies to protect their users who express suicidal ideations to chatbots."

Read more on Barron's

"At one point I drowned in suicidal ideation. It was despair. So I don't know that I coped. But I survived."

Read more on BBC

Another partner is James' Place, which offers free support to men in suicidal crisis in Liverpool, London and Newcastle.

Read more on BBC

In the opening tale, “Welcome to the Club,” a suicidal mother is being coaxed by a creepy next-door neighbor to kill her daughters’ pet rabbit.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dangerous 
• deadly 
• depressed 
• destructive 
• fatal 
• lethal