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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She's also been working as an observation aide for 12 years, helping individuals with suicidal ideations. Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025 Veterans and active military personnel with PTSD, TBI, MST, suicidal ideation and other mental health challenges cannot keep waiting for help. Daniel Bean, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 May 2025 The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has said that evidence shows conversion therapies inflict harm on young people, including elevated rates of suicidal ideation. Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025 The 2024 report shows rates of content related to bullying, depression, suicidal ideation are concerning and increasing. Adaira Landry, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Suicidal ideation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suicidal%20ideation. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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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