self-sacrifice
Giving oneself up
Self-sacrifice is the giving up of one's own interests, desires, or well-being for the sake of others or for a cause.
The term often carries connotations of nobility or virtue, suggesting a willingness to endure hardship or loss so that someone else may benefit.
Her self-sacrifice allowed her younger siblings to attend college.
Self-sacrifice can be admired or criticized depending on context—some see it as selfless devotion, others as unhealthy martyrdom.
Victim for beliefs
- immolationSacrificial killing, often burning
- crucifixionExecution by cross
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
redemption · atonement · saint · canonization · beatitude · holiness · asceticism · piety
Rejection of oneself
- forfeitLose through violation
- relinquishVoluntarily give up control
- forsakeAbandon completely
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
waive · abstain · forego · asceticism · vow of poverty · fasting · celibacy · monasticism
Courage in danger
- braveryBoldness before danger
- courageFortitude facing danger
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
fearlessness · intrepidity · warrior · champion · Medal of Honor · fallen soldier · first responder · lifesaver
Generous giving for others
- benevolenceDisposition toward doing good
- charityVoluntary aid for others
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- humanitarianismPromoting welfare through compassion
volunteerism · giving · aid · relief · service · public-spirited · benefactor · goodwill
Moral goodness or merit
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- dignityInnate personal worth
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
magnanimity · grace · principled · uprightness · moral courage · high-minded · ethical · gallant
Wholehearted loyalty to purpose
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- faithfulnessDevoted loyalty maintained
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
fidelity · allegiance · ardor · zeal · reverence · service · duty · caregiver
martyr
Victim for beliefs
- immolationSacrificial killing, often burning
- crucifixionExecution by cross
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
persecution · redemption · atonement · saint · canonization · beatitude · holiness · asceticism · piety · faith
abnegation
Rejection of oneself
- forfeitLose through violation
- relinquishVoluntarily give up control
- forsakeAbandon completely
surrender · waive · abstain · forego · asceticism · vow of poverty · fasting · celibacy · monasticism · monk
valor
Courage in danger
gallantry · fearlessness · intrepidity · warrior · champion · Medal of Honor · fallen soldier · first responder · lifesaver · rescue
philanthropy
Generous giving for others
- benevolenceDisposition toward doing good
- charityVoluntary aid for others
- compassionConcern for others' distress
humanitarianism · volunteerism · giving · aid · relief · service · public-spirited · benefactor · goodwill · kindness
virtue
Moral goodness or merit
righteousness · magnanimity · grace · principled · uprightness · moral courage · high-minded · ethical · gallant · chivalry
dedication
Wholehearted loyalty to purpose
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- faithfulnessDevoted loyalty maintained
steadfastness · fidelity · allegiance · ardor · zeal · reverence · service · duty · caregiver · tireless
- Romantic idealsdoomed love, chivalry, knight errant
- Moral Dilemmastrolley problem, prisoner's dilemma, ticking bomb, tragic choice, mercy killing
- Braveryrescue, defending the weak, facing danger, battlefield valor, risking life
- heroismbravery, valor, hero, courage, heroism
- Bushidobushido, samurai code, warrior code, honor code, samurai ethics
- Codependencycodependency, enabling, enmeshment, people-pleasing, caretaking
self-sacrificeselfishness
Excessive concern for oneself
self-interest · self-preservation · egoism · self-indulgence · self-centeredness
self-sacrificegreed
Excessive desire for wealth
cold-heartedness · callousness · hard-heartedness · narcissism · exploitation
self-sacrificeself-preservation
Instinct to survive danger
survival instinct · cowardice · fleeing · abandonment · desertion
self, selfish, sacred, sacrifice, sanction, selfless, sanctity, selflessness, sacrament