SELF-DEFEATING

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does self-defeating mean? 

• SELF-DEFEATING (adjective)
  The adjective SELF-DEFEATING has 1 sense:

1. acting to defeat its own purpose

  Familiarity information: SELF-DEFEATING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SELF-DEFEATING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Acting to defeat its own purpose

Context example:

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

Similar:

unsuccessful (not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome)

 Context examples 

The results also suggest that the effects of self-defeating humour on well-being may differ depending on where the research takes places.

(Self-defeating humour promotes psychological well-being, University of Granada)

Meanwhile, self-defeating humour was linked to a greater tendency to suppress anger.

(Self-defeating humour promotes psychological well-being, University of Granada)

Up until now, a significant deal of the research literature has suggested that self-defeating humour is exclusively associated with negative psychological effects among individuals who regularly employ this style of humour.

(Self-defeating humour promotes psychological well-being, University of Granada)

By contrast, people who tend to use aggressive or self-defeating humour do not manage anger or rage as well.

(Self-defeating humour promotes psychological well-being, University of Granada)

Researchers from the University of Granada have established that individuals who frequently use self-defeating humour—aimed at gaining the approval of others through self-mockery—exhibit greater levels of psychological well-being.

(Self-defeating humour promotes psychological well-being, University of Granada)

Jorge Torres Marín, one of the researchers behind this groundbreaking UGR project, explains: In particular, we have observed that a greater tendency to employ self-defeating humour is indicative of high scores in psychological well-being dimensions such as happiness and, to a lesser extent, sociability.

(Self-defeating humour promotes psychological well-being, University of Granada)