self-destruct

verb

Definition of self-destructnext
as in to implode

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of self-destruct Researchers have developed a new type of plastic that can self-destruct on command. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026 So, when it is confirmed that the FBI can extract incoming Signal messages on an iPhone in the physical possession of agents, even if the Signal app itself has already been deleted, and messages were set to self-destruct, alarm bells tend to sound. — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2026 In that kind of disaster scenario, the crew capsule separates to save the astronauts, and the rocket self-destructs to avoid risk to people on the ground in its flight path. — Charlie Gile, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026 Engineers also replaced batteries in the rocket's self-destruct system, recharged a variety of other batteries and replaced seals in the first stage liquid oxygen propellant umbilical mechanism. — William Harwood, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-destruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-destruct
  1. implode
  2. crumble
  3. go under
Verb
  • Faced with a currency in free fall, a banking crisis, and an imploding economy, President Jamil Mahuad announced on January 9, 2000, that Ecuador would replace the sucre with the dollar at 25,000 sucres to the dollar.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
  • On June 18, 2023, the Titan imploded off the Titanic’s bow, instantly killing all five on board.
    — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of implode
Verb
  • By Saturday night, Long Beach reported that seawater had entered homes and into streets, with the city’s Peninsula neighborhood being hard hit, and its boardwalk crumbling.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • As Ray goes down the rabbit hole, the shiny facade of Metropia and Megamax (which is, notably and obviously evil from the start) begin to crumble.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • Iliman Ndiaye, another City debutant, showed flashes of promise, while Gianluigi Donnarumma made a couple of big saves when needed (the less said about the moment the Italian nearly let the ball go under his foot and over the goal-line, the better).
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • As both players’ clocks go under 10 seconds, hands are flying over the board.
    — Peter Doggers, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of go under

Browse Nearby Words

self-despair
self-destruct
self-destructed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-destruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-destruct. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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