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

Cheek plates depict a warrior about to kill a sacrificial ram. —Ryan Brennan april 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026

Stars made sacrificial effort plays that could convince most spectators this was a playoff showdown — Jamal Murray diving into the second row to save a loose ball, Aaron Gordon developing a limp then playing through it to guard De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama on game-deciding possessions. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026

Four causeways in the cardinal directions connect the mainland to a central plaza, which contains two sacrificial temples. —Big Think, 1 Apr. 2026

So in 2018 Williams tried planting a massive trap crop of wine caps — a sort of sacrificial offering to the local deer. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 25 Mar. 2026

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