sacrificial

adjective

sac·​ri·​fi·​cial ˌsa-krə-ˈfi-shəl 

1

: of, relating to, of the nature of, or involving sacrifice

2

: of or relating to a metal that serves as an anode which is electrolytically consumed instead of another metal that is present

sacrificially

ˌsa-krə-ˈfi-shə-lē 

adverb

Examples of sacrificial in a Sentence

their sacrificial acts of self-denial

Recent Examples on the Web

With love, with longing, with righteous rage or shameful guilt, on a sacrificial pyre or in the eternal flames of hell: There are so many ways to burn. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025

People aspire to roles that look sustainable, not sacrificial. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

The case is one of the state's most high-profile and controversial murders, with Allen claiming the real killers were members of an Odinist group who murdered the girls during a sacrificial ritual in the woods. —Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 1 Aug. 2025

His decorations included reminders of past Sámi sacrificial traditions that took place both outdoors and around hearth fires. —Thomas A. Dubois, The Conversation, 27 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sacrificial

• sacrificial lamb

Rhymes for sacrificial

• artificial
• beneficial
• cicatricial
• interstitial
• nonjudicial
• nonofficial
• prejudicial
• superficial
• unofficial
• extrajudicial
• semiofficial
• initial

Kids Definition

sacrificial

adjective

sac·​ri·​fi·​cial ˌsak-rə-ˈfish-əl 

: of or relating to sacrifice

sacrificially

-ə-lē 

adverb