self-destruction: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal, academic, clinical, literary
Quick answer
What does “self-destruction” mean?
The act of destroying or severely harming oneself.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of destroying or severely harming oneself.
A process of causing one's own ruin, failure, or downfall, either physically (e.g., through substance abuse) or metaphorically (e.g., sabotaging one's career or relationships).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
In both varieties, strong connotations of psychology, pathology, and tragedy. Slightly more clinical in American usage.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English in journalistic and pop-psychology contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “self-destruction” in a Sentence
[Subject] embarked on a course of self-destruction.His [Behaviour] was a form of self-destruction.The [Policy] led to the party's self-destruction.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “self-destruction” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To self-destruct is the verb form.
American English
- The device is programmed to self-destruct.
adverb
British English
- He behaved self-destructively.
American English
- The company acted almost self-destructively in rejecting the merger.
adjective
British English
- He was in a self-destructive spiral, drinking heavily and isolating himself.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to corporate strategies or management styles that ruin a company's prospects.
Academic
Used in psychology, sociology, and political science to describe pathological individual or group behaviours.
Everyday
Describes someone ruining their health, relationships, or chances through persistent bad choices.
Technical
In physics or engineering, can describe a system designed to disable or destroy itself.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “self-destruction”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “self-destruction”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “self-destruction”
- Using it as a verb (incorrect: 'He self-destructioned his career'; correct: 'He destroyed his career' or 'His behaviour was self-destructive').
- Confusing with 'self-destructive' (adjective).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Suicide refers specifically to the act of intentionally ending one's own life. Self-destruction is broader, describing any process (physical, psychological, social) that causes severe harm or ruin to oneself, which may or may not include suicide.
Yes, it's common in political and business commentary. E.g., 'The party's infighting was an act of political self-destruction.'
They are very close synonyms. 'Self-sabotage' often implies conscious or unconscious actions that undermine success, while 'self-destruction' carries a stronger sense of final, severe, or total ruin.
The verb is 'to self-destruct' (hyphenated). The adjective is 'self-destructive'.
The act of destroying or severely harming oneself.
Self-destruction is usually formal, academic, clinical, literary in register.
Self-destruction: in British English it is pronounced /ˌself dɪˈstrʌkʃn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌself dəˈstrəkʃn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On a path to self-destruction.”
- “A recipe for self-destruction.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a smartphone with a virus that deletes its own operating system. SELF-DESTRUCTION is when the 'self' runs the destructive program.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE SELF IS AN OBJECT / STRUCTURE THAT CAN BE DEMOLISHED FROM WITHIN.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is a strong collocation with 'self-destruction'?