suicidal ideation

noun

: the act of thinking about or a state of preoccupation with ending one's own life : the act of considering or planning suicide
He had been hospitalized several times for depression and suicidal ideation: the previous summer he had checked himself into a hospital in Laramie.Melanie Thernstrom
Alleviating gender dysphoria and aligning gender expression with identity through these treatments can lower stress, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and significantly lessen suicidal ideation.Orion Rummler

Examples of suicidal ideation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Iris says that like many other trans people, she’s struggled with gender dysphoria, depression, and suicidal ideation. Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024 In a vulnerable moment in season 5, Robert Jr. also opened up to Mary about his struggle with drug addiction and suicidal ideation. Mckinley Franklin, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024 Experts weigh in, discuss racial bias People tend to be open with their clinicians about their suicidal ideation, said Jordan DeVylder, associate professor of social work at New York University. Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 27 Nov. 2024 The National Library of Medicine also found that veterans struggling with food insecurity are nearly four times more likely to deal with suicidal ideation than their more financially stable counterparts. Pilar Arias, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for suicidal ideation 

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of suicidal ideation was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near suicidal ideation

Cite this Entry

“Suicidal ideation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suicidal%20ideation. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

suicidal ideation

noun
: the act of thinking about or a state of preoccupation with ending one's own life : the act of considering or planning suicide
Depression appears to be one of the strongest predictors of suicidal ideation but does not appear to distinguish those who have attempted suicide from those who have experienced suicidal ideation without attempts.E. David Klonsky et al., Annual Review of Clinical Psychology
Burnout among medical students seems to be an important predictor of subsequent suicidal ideation even without symptoms of depression.Liselotte N. Dyrbye et al., Annals of Internal Medicine
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