Suicidal

/ˌsuːɪˈsaɪdəl/

Meaning & Definition

adjective
relating to or characterized by thoughts or actions of suicide; having the potential to lead to suicide.
After weeks of feeling hopeless, she started to have suicidal thoughts.
describing behavior that is likely to result in one’s own death or is extremely self-destructive.
His reckless driving habits were becoming increasingly suicidal.
indicating a severe mental health crisis where a person may contemplate ending their own life.
The therapist recognized that his client was in a suicidal crisis and needed immediate help.

Etymology

Derived from 'suicide' + '-al', indicating a relation to the act of self-killing.

Common Phrases and Expressions

suicidal thoughts:
thoughts about self-harm or taking one's own life
suicidal ideation:
the process of thinking about suicide
suicidal tendencies:
patterns of behavior indicating a predisposition to suicide

Related Words

Slang Meanings

to feel extremely low or hopeless
I'm feeling really suicidal today, like nothing matters.
to engage in reckless behavior without caring about consequences
He drove like a maniac; it was totally suicidal.