ENGLISH
REFERENCE

suicidal

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌsuəˈsaɪdəɫ// UK //sˌuːɪsˈaɪdəl// sui·ci·dal Informal

adj. feeling so unhappy or hopeless that you want to end your own life. It can also describe an action that is extremely dangerous and likely to lead to death or failure.

adj. deeply depressed and likely to attempt self-harm or suicide; by extension, describing actions that are extremely self-destructive or reckless. Often follows a linking verb or precedes a noun describing behavior.


SIMPLE

He felt suicidal after losing his job and his home.

CONTEXTUAL

The soldier's decision to charge the enemy lines alone was described as a suicidal mission by his commanders.

COMPLEX

The protagonist's suicidal ideation is treated with great sensitivity throughout the novel, reflecting the author's commitment to exploring mental health with nuance and empathy.

Synonyms
Origin

From suicide + -al.

Usage

Often follows linking verbs like 'feel' or 'become'; when describing actions, it functions as an intensifier for 'dangerous' or 'reckless'.

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