Definition

Adjective: * Counterproductive, undermining one's own goals: Describes an action, behavior, or policy that, while intended to achieve a specific aim, actually works against that aim or makes it harder to achieve. It contains the seeds of its own failure.

Usage

The adjective "self-defeating" is used to describe a plan, action, argument, or attitude. It is typically placed before a noun (e.g., a self-defeating strategy) or used after a linking verb like "is" or "seems" (e.g., That approach is self-defeating).

Examples

• Modifying a noun:
  • His self-defeating habit of procrastination always left him unprepared for meetings.
  • The government's self-defeating policy raised taxes so high that economic activity decreased, reducing overall revenue.
• After a linking verb:
  • Refusing all help is ultimately self-defeating.
  • Her perfectionism became self-defeating; the fear of making a mistake prevented her from finishing any project.

Advanced Usage

• Self-defeating prophecy: A concept related to a "self-fulfilling prophecy," where an attempt to avoid a predicted outcome directly causes that outcome. For example, a company fearing bankruptcy sells off its best assets to raise cash, but this action weakens the company so much that it actually leads to bankruptcy.
• In psychology: Refers to behaviors or thought patterns (e.g., chronic self-criticism, self-sabotage) that an individual engages in, often unconsciously, which prevent them from reaching their goals or maintaining well-being.

Variants and Related Words

• Self-defeat (noun): The act or instance of defeating oneself.
  • His career stalled due to a pattern of self-defeat.
• Self-sabotaging (adjective): Very similar in meaning, often used in personal or psychological contexts.
  • She recognized her self-sabotaging tendencies when she would start an argument before a important date.

Synonyms

• Counterproductive
• Self-destructive
• Self-undermining
• Futile (in context)
• Ineffective

Antonyms

• Effective
• Productive
• Constructive
• Advantageous

Idioms and Common Phrases

• To cut off one's nose to spite one's face: This idiom is a vivid metaphor for a self-defeating action, where a person's desire to hurt another results in greater harm to themselves.
  • Refusing to attend the conference because your rival is speaking is like cutting off your nose to spite your face—you'll miss valuable information.

Adjective

1. acting to defeat its own purpose
   • it is self-defeating...to ignore the progress of events