sacrifice
/ˈsækrəˌfaɪs/
NOUN
1. An offering to a deity
The act of offering something to a god or deity as part of a religious or ceremonial rite.
1.1. Religious offerings and atonement
Refers to an offering, usually an animal, food, or valuable object, presented to a deity as an act of worship, devotion, or atonement.
Synonyms
- offering
- oblation
- immolation
- libation
- holocaust
Examples
- The ancient community performed a sacrifice to honor their gods.
- The priest prepared the sacrifice as part of the annual religious ceremony.
Related Words
- atonement
- consecration
- propitiation
- penance
- worship
- ritual
NOUN
2. Giving up something valuable for a greater purpose
The act of surrendering something valuable, desirable, or important for the benefit of another person, a greater objective, or to avoid a greater loss.
2.1. Self-denial and personal commitment
Refers to giving up personal comfort, interests, possessions, or opportunities to support someone or achieve a more important goal.
Synonyms
- self-denial
- abnegation
- renunciation
- self-renunciation
- self-abnegation
- forfeiture
- surrender
- relinquishment
Antonyms
- self-indulgence
- retention
- refusal
- withholding
Examples
- Her sacrifice of personal time allowed her children to pursue their education.
- The team's success required individual sacrifice and dedication from every member.
Related Words
- dedication
- devotion
- commitment
- abstinence
- forbearance
- temperance
2.2. Giving up possessions or rights
Refers to surrendering, relinquishing, or transferring something valuable, such as property, money, freedom, or personal rights.
Synonyms
- forfeiture
- surrender
- renunciation
- relinquishment
- cession
- yielding
- concession
Antonyms
Examples
- The agreement required the sacrifice of certain territorial rights.
- He viewed the loss of his inheritance as a necessary sacrifice for peace.
Related Words
2.3. Enduring hardship or suffering
Refers to accepting pain, hardship, or personal loss for the welfare of others or the achievement of an important objective.
Synonyms
- suffering
- endurance
- self-denial
Antonyms
Examples
- The soldiers' sacrifices helped secure freedom for future generations.
Related Words
- martyrdom
- perseverance
- forbearance
- devotion
- selflessness
NOUN
3. Something given up or surrendered
A person, possession, opportunity, or other valuable thing that is given up or lost for the sake of something else.
3.1. Personal loss or surrender
Refers to something valuable that someone willingly gives up or loses to achieve a greater benefit or protect others.
Synonyms
- forfeit
- loss
- surrender
- concession
- offering
Antonyms
- gain
- benefit
- acquisition
- retention
Examples
- Leaving his hometown was a difficult sacrifice, but it gave him a chance to build a better future.
Related Words
- victim
- sacrificial lamb
- deprivation
- renunciation
- relinquishment
NOUN
4. A financial loss or reduction in value
A loss of profit or the acceptance of a financial disadvantage, including selling something below its cost or actual value.
4.1. Financial loss and reduced profit
Refers to accepting a financial loss, reduced profit, or lower return in order to achieve another commercial objective.
Synonyms
- loss
- reduction
- discount
- deduction
- write-off
Antonyms
Examples
- The retailer accepted a financial sacrifice to clear its remaining inventory.
- The company made a sacrifice on profit margins to attract new customers.
Related Words
- devaluation
- markdown
- shortfall
- concession
- cost
4.2. Selling below cost or market value
Refers to selling goods or assets for less than their original cost or actual value, often to generate cash or achieve another business objective.
Synonyms
- discount
- markdown
- price reduction
- loss-making sale
Antonyms
Examples
- The store made a sacrifice sale to dispose of its excess stock.
Related Words
- clearance
- depreciation
- undervaluation
- liquidation
VERB
5. To offer something to a deity
To present something as an offering to a god or deity, usually as part of a religious ceremony.
5.1. Offering and consecrating
Refers to presenting or dedicating an object, animal, or possession to a deity as an act of religious worship.
Synonyms
Examples
- The ancient people sacrificed animals during their religious festivals.
Related Words
VERB
6. To give up something valuable
To surrender or relinquish something valuable, desirable, or important to obtain another benefit or prevent a greater loss.
6.1. Surrendering and relinquishing
Refers to voluntarily giving up possessions, rights, opportunities, or personal interests for a greater purpose.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- She sacrificed her career opportunities to care for her family.
- He was willing to sacrifice his personal savings to keep the business running.
Related Words
- abandon
- abdicate
- abjure
- forsake
- disown
- jettison
- withdraw
- walk away from
6.2. Enduring hardship for others
Refers to accepting suffering, inconvenience, or personal hardship for the benefit of someone else or a greater cause.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- avoid
- escape
- evade
Examples
- The volunteers sacrificed their comfort to help families affected by the disaster.
Related Words
- persevere
- forbear
- sustain
- withstand
- suffer through
VERB
7. To give up a chess piece strategically
To intentionally surrender a chess piece or other game piece to gain a positional or tactical advantage.
7.1. Strategic sacrifice in chess
Refers to deliberately giving up a chess piece, often temporarily, to create an attack, improve position, or obtain a tactical advantage.
Synonyms
- sacrifice a piece
- give up a piece
- concede a piece
Examples
- The grandmaster sacrificed his knight to expose the opponent's king.
Related Words
VERB
8. To advance a runner in baseball
To intentionally hit a ball in a way that allows a baserunner to advance while the batter is put out.
8.1. Baseball sacrifice plays
Refers to a deliberate batting play, such as a sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly, that advances a runner at the cost of the batter being put out.
Synonyms
- bunt
- advance a runner
Examples
- The batter sacrificed himself to move the runner into scoring position.
Related Words
- sacrifice bunt
- sacrifice fly
- base hit
- force out
- fielder's choice
VERB
9. To sell something below its value
To sell goods or assets at a price lower than their cost or actual value.
9.1. Selling at a loss
Refers to deliberately accepting a financial loss by selling something below its cost or market value.
Synonyms
- discount
- mark down
- sell at a loss
Antonyms
- increase the price
- mark up
Examples
- The company sacrificed several products to clear its warehouse inventory.
Related Words
- clearance
- liquidate
- undervalue
- reduce
VERB
10. To destroy or kill
To destroy or kill someone or something, especially as an offering or for a particular purpose.
10.1. Killing or destroying as an offering
Refers to killing or destroying something as part of a ritual, act of devotion, or deliberate decision.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- save
- spare
- preserve
- protect
Examples
- The ritual required them to sacrifice an animal as an offering.
Related Words
- holocaust
- execution
- offering
- immolation