sacrificial

adjective

sac·​ri·​fi·​cial ˌsa-krə-ˈfi-shəl How to pronounce sacrificial (audio)
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 adverb

Examples of sacrificial in a Sentence

their sacrificial acts of self-denial
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The church service, part of the bishops’ spring assembly meeting in Orlando, Florida, draws from a mainstream, centuries-old Catholic devotion that focuses on Jesus’ sacrificial love for humanity. ABC News, 10 June 2026 Interestingly, these sacrificial bonds selectively break at the site of impact when struck by a high-speed object. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026 In the ninth, Cox recorded his first hit, doubling off Brett Sullivan, the Rockies catcher who was called on as a sacrificial reliever with the game out of hand. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 1 June 2026 James took an understandable back seat to Luka Dončić and a sacrificial back seat to Austin Reaves as the season went on and those three actually played together. Law Murray, New York Times, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sacrificial

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sacrificial was in 1607

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Cite this Entry

“Sacrificial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sacrificial. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

sacrificial

adjective
sac·​ri·​fi·​cial ˌsak-rə-ˈfish-əl How to pronounce sacrificial (audio)
: of or relating to sacrifice
sacrificially adverb
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