What does suicidally mean?
Suicidally is an adverb meaning “in a suicidal manner” or “with extreme disregard for safety.” Its literal sense describes conduct involving suicide or a deliberate wish to die, while its figurative sense is far more common in informal English: someone may drive suicidally, work suicidally, or expand suicidally when acting with reckless speed, risk, or desperation. The word conveys more than ordinary carelessness because it invokes the idea of self-destruction, making it emotionally forceful and often hyperbolic. It is especially associated with dangerous driving, extreme athletic behavior, and reckless financial or business decisions. In most contexts, “suicidally” communicates that an action is so dangerous or self-defeating that it may have catastrophic consequences.
adverbIn a manner characterized by suicide or a determination to die. Figuratively, it describes action taken with extreme recklessness or disregard for self-preservation.
- In a manner that involves suicide or an intention to die by suicide.
- Figuratively, with extreme recklessness or disregard for personal safety.
"He drove suicidally through the empty streets, narrowly missing several pedestrians."
"The climber attempted the suicidal route without adequate equipment."
"The company expanded suicidally during the economic downturn, taking risks that threatened its survival."
From “suicide” and the adverbial suffix “-ally,” suicidally turns the idea of self-destruction into a vivid description of extreme recklessness.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does suicidally come from?
“Suicidally” is formed from the adjective “suicidal” with the adverbial suffix “-ally.” “Suicidal” comes from “suicide,” a word borrowed from modern Latin “suicidium,” from the Latin “suicidium,” itself associated with “sui” (“oneself”) and “caedere” (“to kill”). The resulting adverb entered modern English as a specialized term before acquiring its widespread figurative use for extreme recklessness.
Related word forms
How suicidally is actually used
The figurative sense is informal and strongly hyperbolic. It is commonly used with verbs such as “drive,” “move,” “run,” and “expand” to emphasize dangerous or excessively reckless behavior.
Easily confused with suicidally
“Suicidally” is an adverb describing how an action is performed, whereas “suicidal” is an adjective describing a person, impulse, or state involving death by suicide.