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Self-defeating for Dummies

adjective

pronunciation: ,sɛlfdɪ'fitiŋ

What does Self-defeating really mean?

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Hey there, let's talk about the word "self-defeating." It's a bit of a mouthful, isn't it? But don't worry, I'm here to break it down for you and make it super easy to understand. So, let's dive in!

When we say something is "self-defeating," we mean that it's kind of like shooting yourself in the foot. Imagine you're playing a game, and you really want to win, but instead of focusing on the game and playing your best, you keep getting distracted. You keep looking at your phone or chatting with your friends, and as a result, you end up losing the game. In this situation, your behavior is self-defeating because it prevents you from achieving what you wanted, which was to win the game.

Now, let's think about it in a bigger context. Sometimes in life, we have goals or dreams that we really want to achieve. It could be anything, like doing well in school, making friends, or even learning a new skill. However, if we engage in behaviors or actions that go against those goals, we are being self-defeating.

Let me give you an example. Imagine you have a test coming up, and you know you need to study to do well. However, instead of studying, you spend all your time playing video games or watching TV. When the test day arrives, you don't do as well as you wanted because you didn't prepare properly. In this case, your actions were self-defeating because they prevented you from achieving your goal of doing well on the test.

Now, it's important to note that self-defeating behavior isn't always so obvious or immediate. Sometimes, it can be a pattern of actions or thoughts that we engage in over time. It's like taking small steps in the wrong direction, gradually moving away from what we truly want or need.

Think about it this way: if you're trying to reach the top of a mountain, but you keep walking down the wrong trail, you'll find yourself getting farther and farther away from your goal. In a similar way, self-defeating behavior takes us further away from what we truly want, whether it's happiness, success, or personal growth.

So, my dear student, when we say something is self-defeating, it means that it's working against our own best interests. It hinders us from achieving our goals and can have negative consequences in our lives. It's like hitting the "undo" button on our own progress.

I hope this explanation helps you understand what "self-defeating" means. Just remember, it's all about actions or behaviors that prevent us from reaching our goals or desires. So, let's try to be aware of our actions and make choices that lead us towards success and happiness instead! You've got this!

Revised and Fact checked by Megan Brown on 2023-10-30 02:29:43

Self-defeating In a sentece

Learn how to use Self-defeating inside a sentece

  • Staying up all night studying before a test can be self-defeating because you will be too tired to concentrate during the test itself.
  • Eating unhealthy food regularly is self-defeating because you may end up feeling sick and lacking energy.
  • Procrastinating on tasks until the last minute is self-defeating because you might not have enough time to complete them properly.
  • Getting angry and shouting during an argument can be self-defeating because it hinders constructive communication and finding a solution.
  • Constantly doubting your abilities and thinking you will fail before even trying is self-defeating because it prevents you from taking risks and achieving success.

Self-defeating Similar Words

Words that similar to the original word, but are not synonyms.