Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Engaging in behavior that causes harm or damage to oneself: The word "self-destructive" describes actions, patterns, or tendencies that are harmful or damaging to the person who does them, often against their own long-term well-being or interests.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • His self-destructive behavior, like excessive drinking, was a cry for help.
  • She realized that constantly sabotaging her own success was a self-destructive pattern.
  • The company's refusal to adapt to new technology was a self-destructive policy.

Advanced Usage

• "self-destructive impulses": Sudden, strong urges to act in a way that harms oneself.
  • He struggled with self-destructive impulses during periods of deep depression.
• "on a self-destructive path": Describes a course of action or a period in someone's life characterized by repeated harmful behavior.
  • After the loss, she was on a self-destructive path for several years.

Variants and Related Words

• Self-destruction (n): The act or process of destroying oneself.
  • His addiction led him down a road of self-destruction.
• Self-destruct (v): To destroy oneself or itself.
  • The device is programmed to self-destruct if tampered with.

Synonyms

• Suicidal: (Often used figuratively) Inclined towards or involving self-destruction.
• Self-sabotaging: Deliberately undermining one's own goals or success.
• Self-defeating: Causing its own or one's own failure.

Related Phrases

• Kamikaze (adj): Used figuratively to describe a recklessly self-destructive act or strategy.
  • The lawyer made a kamikaze argument that destroyed his own case.

Adjective

1. dangerous to yourself or your interests
   • suicidal impulses
   • a suicidal corporate takeover strategy
   • a kamikaze pilot