self-defeating
Works against oneself
Self-defeating describes actions or attitudes that undermine their own purpose.
A self-defeating argument contains flaws that invalidate its conclusion.
Self-defeating behavior produces the opposite of what's intended: His aggressive networking was self-defeating—people avoided him.
The word often appears in therapy contexts for patterns that sabotage one's own goals.
Hindering intended outcome
- paradoxicalSeemingly absurd yet true
- oxymoronicPairing opposing terms
- circularForming a closed curve
- illogicalContrary to valid reasoning
contradictory · counterintuitive · incongruous · futile · absurd · Catch-22 · vicious cycle · pyrrhic
Incapable of producing results
- pointlessLacking any purpose
- uselessWithout practical value
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
- unsuccessfulNot achieving desired outcome
fruitless · unavailing · ineffectual · unproductive · wasteful · doomed · hopeless · failed
Hindering intended outcome
- defeatistOne expecting inevitable failure
- masochisticPleasure from own pain
- insecureLacking self-assurance
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
fearful · avoidant · procrastinating · perfectionist · imposter syndrome · learned helplessness · passive-aggressive · martyrdom
Hindering intended outcome
- sabotagingDeliberately undermining or destroying
- underminingWeakening by covert means
- thwartingObstructing intended outcomes
- impedingBlocking forward motion
hindering · obstructing · compromising · jeopardizing · destructive · detrimental · disruptive · harmful
counterproductive
Hindering intended outcome
- paradoxicalSeemingly absurd yet true
- oxymoronicPairing opposing terms
- circularForming a closed curve
illogical · contradictory · counterintuitive · incongruous · futile · absurd · Catch-22 · vicious cycle · pyrrhic · backfiring
futile
Incapable of producing results
- pointlessLacking any purpose
- uselessWithout practical value
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
unsuccessful · fruitless · unavailing · ineffectual · unproductive · wasteful · doomed · hopeless · failed · hollow
counterproductive
Hindering intended outcome
- defeatistOne expecting inevitable failure
- masochisticPleasure from own pain
- insecureLacking self-assurance
anxious · fearful · avoidant · procrastinating · perfectionist · imposter syndrome · learned helplessness · passive-aggressive · martyrdom · resistance
counterproductive
Hindering intended outcome
- sabotagingDeliberately undermining or destroying
- underminingWeakening by covert means
- thwartingObstructing intended outcomes
impeding · hindering · obstructing · compromising · jeopardizing · destructive · detrimental · disruptive · harmful · damaging
- contradictionsparadox, oxymoron, contradiction, paradoxes, oxymorons
- vicious cyclesvicious cycle, downward spiral, debt spiral, death spiral, shame spiral
self-defeatingeffective
Producing intended results
successful · self-serving · productive · fruitful · efficacious
self-defeatingshrewd
Practically clever, perceptive
calculated · judicious · smart · sensible · clever
self-defeatingself-fulfilling
Making itself happen
self-sustaining · self-perpetuating · self-serving · self-supporting · virtuous cycle
self, defeat, defeated, defeats, defeating, undefeated, defeatism, defeatable, self-defence