Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

self-destruct

/sˈɛlfdɪstɹˈʌkt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.90 in modern English

Syllables: self--de-struct
IPA: /sˈɛlfdɪstɹˈʌkt/

18

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To destroy oneself or itself.

verb

To destroy or greatly damage one's position in a game, in one's work or career, in one's financial or social position, etc.

noun

A feature of a system whereby it destroys itself.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"The submarine was primed to self-destruct."
"The Ferraris pressed the self-destruct button, Lewis Hamilton lost his spot on the podium, and there were champagne moments for Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz Jr."
"If you attack with an energy level of only 30 you are going to self-destruct."
"Dating the boss is a bad move: if it goes badly, you could self-destruct."
"They won't take any prisoners! Activate the self-destruct!"

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swé? Proto-Indo-European *selbʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *selbaz Old English self Old English self- Middle English self- English self- English destruct English self-destruct From self- + destruct.

Usage

Uncountable

Inflected Forms

self-destructs (present, singular) self-destructing (participle, present) self-destructed (participle, past) self-destructed (past)

Phrases

self-destruction

Synonyms

autodestruct autodestruction self-destroy

Rhymes With

fucked construct sucked tucked duct instruct reconstruct plucked deduct obstruct ducked destruct

Questions

How do you pronounce self-destruct?: The recorded pronunciation is /sˈɛlfdɪstɹˈʌkt/.
What does self-destruct mean?: To destroy oneself or itself.
Where does self-destruct come from?: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swé? Proto-Indo-European *selbʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *selbaz Old English self Old English self- Middle English self- English self- English destruct English self-destruct From self- + destruct.

How to pronounce self-destruct

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Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/sˈɛlfdɪstɹˈʌkt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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