Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

self-defeating

adjective

/ˌsɛlf.dɪˈfiː.tɪŋ/

Definition

Harming oneself or one’s own interests.

Examples

His self-defeating behavior at work caused him to miss promotions.
By procrastinating, she was being self-defeating in her studies.
Sometimes, being overly critical can be self-defeating in personal relationships.

Meaning

The term refers to actions or attitudes that undermine one’s own goals or effectiveness, often leading to unfavorable outcomes despite good intentions.