self-preservation
noun
self-pres·er·va·tion
ˌself-ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən 
1
: preservation of oneself from destruction or harm
2
: a natural or instinctive tendency to act so as to preserve one's own existence
Examples of self-preservation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
What impelled you to put aside the instinct for self-preservation and risk your lives to take these cliffs?
—
The Editors, National Review, 6 June 2024
Some in Israel have suggested that Netanyahu is prolonging the war for his own political self-preservation.
—Time Staff, TIME, 4 June 2024
Under such conditions, Putin will likely choose self-preservation over victory.
—Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 21 May 2024
The former is a musical triptych that blends bossa nova influences with blaring synths, further exploring the conflicting feelings of self-preservation and self-sacrifice.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 21 May 2024
For Cook, the decision to end new music releases on PC was almost an act of self-preservation.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 10 May 2024
Instead of being endowed with a natural instinct for self-preservation, though, a telescope’s routines for entering safe mode are written into their code by the engineers who design them.
—Briley Lewis, Popular Science, 9 May 2024
Darling excelled in playing characters who were big dreamers—and whose retreat into fantasy was, like her own, a form of self-preservation.
—Mayukh Sen, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2024
People, in my view, reinforce their personal hypocrisy out of self-preservation.
—Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024
The Editors, National Review, 6 June 2024
Some in Israel have suggested that Netanyahu is prolonging the war for his own political self-preservation.
—Time Staff, TIME, 4 June 2024
Under such conditions, Putin will likely choose self-preservation over victory.
—Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 21 May 2024
The former is a musical triptych that blends bossa nova influences with blaring synths, further exploring the conflicting feelings of self-preservation and self-sacrifice.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 21 May 2024
For Cook, the decision to end new music releases on PC was almost an act of self-preservation.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 10 May 2024
Instead of being endowed with a natural instinct for self-preservation, though, a telescope’s routines for entering safe mode are written into their code by the engineers who design them.
—Briley Lewis, Popular Science, 9 May 2024
Darling excelled in playing characters who were big dreamers—and whose retreat into fantasy was, like her own, a form of self-preservation.
—Mayukh Sen, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2024
People, in my view, reinforce their personal hypocrisy out of self-preservation.
—Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-preservation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near self-preservation
Cite this Entry
“Self-preservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-preservation. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.
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