self-sacrifice

American  

[self-sak-ruh-fahys, self-] / ˌsɛlfˈsæk rəˌfaɪs, ˈsɛlf- /

noun

1. sacrifice of one's interests, desires, etc., as for duty or the good of another.

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self-sacrifice British  

noun

1. the sacrifice of one's own desires, interest, etc, for the sake of duty or for the well-being of others

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Other Word Forms

• self-sacrificer
  noun
• self-sacrificingness
  noun
• self-sacrificial
  adjective
• self-sacrificing
  adjective
• unself-sacrificial
  adjective
• unself-sacrificing
  adjective
• self-sacrificingly
  adverb
• unself-sacrificially
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of self-sacrifice

First recorded in 1795–1805

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

self-sacrifice

These men aren’t preaching Jesus Christ’s gospel of self-sacrifice and humility.

From Salon ● May 4, 2026

The Guards Corps said in a statement it was "ready for complete obedience and self-sacrifice in carrying out the divine commands" of the younger Khamenei.

From Barron's ● Mar. 8, 2026

Samson’s self-sacrifice in defeating his Philistine enemies was used by Samuel Adams and others to illustrate the “zeal” of the Sons of Liberty.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 22, 2025

"Spreading love and joy and caring for his people with endless self-sacrifice in his life and in his death, he towered above as one of the highest and holiest souls."

From BBC ● Dec. 17, 2025

They were a classic bunch of overachievers who had become living proof of all the perceived values of white working-class and middle-class America—desire, self-sacrifice, pushing oneself beyond the expected limit.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

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Related Words

• disavowal
• repudiation

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