self-sacrificing

adjective

Definition of self-sacrificingnext
as in selfless

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of self-sacrificing Anyone who tries to pass will have our self-sacrificing heroes in the IRGC Navy and Army set their ships on fire. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026 There’s the self-sacrificing Texas teenager who’s helping her mom make ends meet by cashing out her own college fund. — Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 25 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-sacrificing
  1. selfless
  2. altruistic
  3. benevolent
  4. charitable
  5. humanitarian
  6. philanthropic
Adjective
  • Now, Yelich and the rest of the crew are reaping the benefits of that selfless style of play that other teams may be trying to replicate down the road.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Participants described the day as a celebration of seva — selfless service — and a chance to pass traditions of kindness and equality to the next generation.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of selfless
Adjective
  • Paladin is running a more altruistic mercenary business (the details are deliberately vague), with Lisa and Edith as assistants.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2026
  • That is true, but evidence suggests that such altruistic appeals could fail to increase vaccination and might even backfire.
    — Jessica Fishman, STAT, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of altruistic
Adjective
  • This isn’t about shaming the Hawks for not being benevolent enough.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Larger-than-life Halloween celebrations rise up every October like the Great Pumpkin (or a benevolent spooky spirit or two) to captivate visitors with parades, caramel apples, costume contests, and more.
    — Michelle Mastro, Midwest Living, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of benevolent
Adjective
  • Since the business became profitable under her leadership, Neidich has donated its profits to charitable causes, a commitment spanning more than 12 years.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Nov. 2026
  • All 32 clubs will recognize the military community through special gameday tributes, community events and charitable initiatives that build on the league's year-round commitment to those who serve.
    — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of charitable
Adjective
  • The war has already killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and thousands of civilians, analysts and humanitarian organizations say.
    — Susie Blann, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Temporary Protected Status, better known as TPS, is a humanitarian designation that shielded hundreds of thousands of Haitians from deportation following Haiti’s 2010 devastating earthquake.
    — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of humanitarian
Adjective
  • His legal team has said that Chambers has strictly donated to lawful Gaza and Palestine humanitarian and philanthropic aid projects, and O’Shea believes them.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Some billionaires have also pledged philanthropic contributions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Definition of philanthropic

Browse Nearby Words

self-sacrifice
self-sacrificing
selfsame
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-sacrificing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-sacrificing. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of lissome

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All