self-denial

[ self-di-nahy-uhl, self- ]

noun

1. the sacrifice of one's own desires; unselfishness.
2. an act or instance of restraining or curbing one's desires:

   To reduce, one has to practice self-denial at the dinner table.

self-denial

noun

1. the denial or sacrifice of one's own desires

Derived Forms

• ˌself-deˈnying, adjective
• ˌself-deˈnyingly, adverb

Other Words From

• self-de·nying adjective
• self-de·nying·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-denial¹

First recorded in 1635–45

Example Sentences

Another tradition of manliness would point them toward discipline, sacrifice, and self-denial.

From The Daily Beast

The Roman idea of self-denial differed very strikingly from our own.

From The Daily Beast

But in general, White sees such wives as engaging in willful self-denial, she said.

From The Daily Beast

Is it not worth some self-denial, some sacrifices, on pour part, to have your home spoken of in this manner?

From Project Gutenberg

We have learned so much lately about self-denial, and crossing one's own inclinations, and enduring hardness.

From Project Gutenberg

He would bear evils with patience, even as he would practise self-denial of pleasure.

From Project Gutenberg

That includes an idea of self-denial utterly unknown to all the young people of to-day.

From Project Gutenberg

So far he had not done so, but continued self-denial would require a stern effort.

From Project Gutenberg