adjective
suicidal
soo-ih-SEYE-duhl
adjective
1
Wanting to kill oneself, or showing signs of wanting to.
"He was hospitalized after telling his therapist he felt suicidal."
"The hotline exists for anyone having suicidal thoughts."
2
So reckless or dangerous that it amounts to risking one's own life.
"Overtaking on a blind bend like that is suicidal."
"Attacking the champion head-on was a suicidal strategy for the smaller team."
How to Use Suicidal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes either a person at risk of taking their own life, or an action so dangerous it could get someone killed.
When to use it
When discussing mental health, use this word carefully and factually rather than as a casual exaggeration.
Common pairings
suicidal thoughts
suicidal tendencies
a suicidal move
Word Forms
more suicidal comparative, suicidals plural, most suicidal superlative
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He was hospitalized after telling his therapist he felt _____.
Etymology
Formed in English from suicide plus the adjective ending -al.