self-sacrifice

noun

self-sac·​ri·​fice ˌself-ˈsa-krə-ˌfīs 

also -fəs

or -ˌfīz

: sacrifice of oneself or one's interest for others or for a cause or ideal

Examples of self-sacrifice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Advertisement Traditionally, Japan’s work culture has rewarded self-sacrifice and long hours at work, at times at the expense of employee health and family life. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 23 July 2026

Life, people, and spirit teach us to replace self-interest and self-sufficiency with interdependency, service, and self-sacrifice. — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026

Of course, they’re devastated, and so is Clark, who is left with an ideal, a paragon of self-sacrifice, a superhero to remember and look up to, but not a friend. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Couples who stay close over the long haul rarely run on pure self-sacrifice. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-sacrifice

• advice
• allspice
• concise
• device
• entice
• excise
• fordyce
• precise
• suffice
• dice
• feis
• gneiss

Kids Definition

self-sacrifice

noun

self-sac·​ri·​fice

ˈself-ˈsak-rə-ˌfīs, 

-fəs

: an unselfish giving over of oneself or one's own interest for others

self-sacrificing

-ˌfī-siŋ

adjective