self-preservation
noun
self-pres·er·va·tion
ˌself-ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən 
1
: preservation of oneself from destruction or harm
2
: a natural or instinctive tendency to act so as to preserve one's own existence
Examples of self-preservation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Loyal to the Emperor, scornful of the aristocracy, and sympathetic to the peasants’ desire for liberation, if not their bloodlust, he is torn between medieval chivalry and modern self-preservation.
—
Merve Emre, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
To be a genre television spy requires a particular sense of morality and truth, coupled with a self-preservation instinct that means never letting your guard down.
—Lily Osler, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Disassociates Amid ongoing social, political, and economic turbulence, many Gen Zers are intentionally distancing themselves from both reality and the digital world as a form of self-preservation.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
The original poster agreed, reinforcing that the choice came from self-preservation, not spite.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-preservation
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Merve Emre, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
To be a genre television spy requires a particular sense of morality and truth, coupled with a self-preservation instinct that means never letting your guard down.
—Lily Osler, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Disassociates Amid ongoing social, political, and economic turbulence, many Gen Zers are intentionally distancing themselves from both reality and the digital world as a form of self-preservation.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
The original poster agreed, reinforcing that the choice came from self-preservation, not spite.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-preservation
Cite this Entry
“Self-preservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-preservation. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.
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