sacrificial

adjective

sac·​ri·​fi·​cial ˌsa-krə-ˈfi-shəl How to pronounce sacrificial (audio)
1
: of, relating to, of the nature of, or involving sacrifice
2
: of or relating to a metal that serves as an anode which is electrolytically consumed instead of another metal that is present
sacrificially adverb

Examples of sacrificial in a Sentence

their sacrificial acts of self-denial
Recent Examples on the Web Early on, the event included sacrificial ceremonies to honor gods and ancestors and had many myths, stories and older traditions associated with it. Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024 These animals are often present in what appears to be sacrificial rituals, funeral rites, and are frequently associated with specific deities from the time. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Feb. 2024 For many people, Lent is associated with giving up some luxury, like chocolate, as a sacrificial form of penance and self-discipline. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2024 The mollusk shells, called Spondylus shells, come from a spiny oyster that Maya royalty used as currency and jewelry—and even included in sacrificial rituals. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 The pig, cow, and chicken burials might’ve been sacrificial in nature, meant to serve and sustain the deceased in the afterlife. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2024 An ancient wharf and sacrificial pit In another area of the Tingshan site, experts identified the ruins of an ancient wharf, known as the Linshui Wharf. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2024 Remedy One of those sacrificial murders was none other than Agent Nightingale, whom fans will remember as the trigger-happy, typically inebriated ex-FBI agent from the first game. Sarah Leboeuf, Ars Technica, 13 June 2023 By Hannah Giorgis Designing a Super Bowl halftime performance is, in many ways, an exercise in sacrificial concision: Artists must whittle decades of songs into a crowd-friendly, roughly 13-minute reprieve from athletics and multimillion-dollar commercials. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sacrificial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sacrificial was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near sacrificial

Cite this Entry

“Sacrificial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sacrificial. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sacrificial

adjective
sac·​ri·​fi·​cial ˌsak-rə-ˈfish-əl How to pronounce sacrificial (audio)
: of or relating to sacrifice
sacrificially adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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