suicide

[soo-uh-sahyd]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of suicide¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of suicide¹

C17: from New Latin suīcīdium, from Latin suī of oneself + -cīdium, from caedere to kill

Example Sentences

Behind its cosmetic appeal, however, evidence has continued to emerge suggesting serious mental health consequences, including depression, anxiety, and in some cases, suicide.

Read more on Science Daily

Questioned about a suicide note found in Mr Berry's pocket after the caravan attack, Mrs Mills told officers Mr Berry had "mentioned making things looks like a suicide".

Read more on BBC

The law comes after revelations of suicides involving teens who used chatbots prior to taking their lives.

Read more on Barron's

Prisoners who experience isolation are 24% more likely to die in the year after release, with a marked rise in suicide.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Parents have sued OpenAI, Character AI and Google, alleging the companies’ chatbots harmed the mental health of their teens who died by suicide.

Read more on Los Angeles Times