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

Etymology

Origin of self-sacrifice

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Patriotism was ennobling, self-sacrifice was reflexive; heroism was rewarded, and everybody was proudly in this fight together.

From The Wall Street Journal

This sprint of self-sacrifice is what vaulted the Dodgers to a victory in Game 3 of the World Series.

From Los Angeles Times

But it’s easy to see how the idea fits neatly into the right’s sexist vision of motherhood as a state of endless self-sacrifice.

From Salon

There is a sense of self-sacrifice from the skipper for overlooking his own playing ambitions.

From BBC

A woman whose pregnancy is failing is expected to welcome death as the ultimate expression of female self-sacrifice.

From Salon

Related Words

• disavowal
• repudiation