suicide

American  

[soo-uh-sahyd] / ˈsu əˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the intentional taking of one's own life.

2. destruction of one's own interests or prospects.

   Buying that house was financial suicide.

3. a person who intentionally takes their own life.

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verb (used without object)

suicided, suiciding

1. to intentionally end one’s own life; to die by suicide.

verb (used with object)

suicided, suiciding

1. to kill (oneself ).

suicide British  

/ ˈsjuː-, ˈsuːɪˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the act or an instance of killing oneself intentionally

2. the self-inflicted ruin of one's own prospects or interests

   a merger would be financial suicide

3. a person who kills himself intentionally

4. (modifier) reckless; extremely dangerous

   a suicide mission

5. (modifier) (of an action) undertaken or (of a person) undertaking an action in the knowledge that it will result in the death of the person performing it in order that maximum damage may be inflicted on an enemy

   a suicide attack

   suicide bomber

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Sensitive Note

In English, the verb suicide exists (e.g., Many teens who suicide have experienced abuse or bullying ), but its use is rare. Rather, the most common way to express the idea of taking one’s own life uses the noun suicide in the expressions to commit suicide or to attempt suicide . However, the phrase commit suicide is discouraged by major editorial style guides, mental health professionals, and specialists in suicide prevention. The verb commit is associated with crime (in the justice system) and sin (in religion). Using such moralistic language deepens the emotional pain surrounding a suicide. The verb phrases to die by suicide and to end one’s life are now preferred over the common expression commit suicide . The adjectives successful , unsuccessful , and failed are words that should be avoided when describing a suicide or suicide attempt, as is language that either romanticizes or stigmatizes the act. Suicide is undeniably a hard subject to broach. It is okay to talk about suicide; studies show that discussing suicide with someone will not make that person suicidal or increase the likelihood of acting on suicidal ideation. But using language that criminalizes the act is insensitive to those whose lives have been touched by suicide.

Other Word Forms

• antisuicide adjective

Etymology

Origin of suicide

First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin suīcīdium, equivalent to Latin suī “of oneself,” genitive singular of reflexive pronoun + Latin combining form -cīda “killer”; -cide

Example Sentences

The Met Police completed their investigation in November last year, ruling out suicide or third-party involvement and describing the death as a "tragic accident".

From BBC

Instagram, which has more than 3 billion monthly active users, said that most teens don’t search for suicide or self-harm content on Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times

At the time, the White House said the victim referred to was the late Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein accuser who died by suicide earlier this year.

From BBC

But suicide prevention charity, the Molly Rose Foundation, has strongly criticised the measures, warning they "could do more harm than good".

From BBC

For Dunk, leaving Tanselle to Aerion would have meant killing the knight within himself — a spiritual suicide that would render his continued breaths both meaningless and tormented.

From Salon