Standard Lemma guide

self-defeating

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Containing elements that will cause it to fail; destined not to succeed by its very nature.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: action

Examples

  • Cutting off your nose to spite your face is self-defeating.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

acting to defeat its own purpose

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • it is self-defeating...to ignore the progress of events

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From self- + defeating (present participle of defeat).