self-immolation

noun

self-im·​mo·​la·​tion ˌself-ˌi-mə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce self-immolation (audio)
: a deliberate and willing sacrifice of oneself often by fire
self-immolate verb

Examples of self-immolation in a Sentence

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.
Playing him was a kind of self-immolation for Tesfaye. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 May 2025 The last flareup in the early 2010s involved a string of self-immolation incidents that critics called a desperate cry against the Chinese government’s ever-tightening grip on Tibetan society. Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 1 May 2025 Gough’s performance is a savage self-immolation of a woman who only knows how to feign joy — and then only ever in extremis — but equally crucial to the moment is the clothing that costume designer Michael Wilkinson arms her with. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025 It was sparked by the self-immolation of a Tunisian street vendor to protest police corruption and abuses. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025 Pryor, though, largely lost his bite after his self-immolation, which the film (and later Pryor’s family) characterized as a suicide attempt. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025 Officials would not confirm whether the self-immolation was an act of protest. Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 Malcolm Browne’s picture of Thích Quảng Đức’s self-immolation. Lucy McKeon, New York Times, 3 June 2024 The pervasive self-immolation that results gives the movie enough edge to make up for the weak car stunts, although the bikers’ skull helmets are among the most badass the genre has to offer. Katie Rife, Vulture, 21 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-immolation was in 1799

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-immolation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-immolation. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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