Sacrifice is used in several ways, but it most often means giving up something valuableworth a lot or important to keep for a purposethe reason something is done or exists or result. It can also refer to a religious killing or offering, or to losing something as a penaltya punishment or negative consequence for breaking rules or at a loss.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈsæk.rəˌfaɪs/
Easy pronunciation: SAK-ruh-FYSS (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the first syllable, with secondary stress on the last syllable.
Verb meaning to give up something valuable for a reason or goal.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Sacrifice Meaning
to give something up for a reason or goal
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to give up something valuable in order to get or achieve something else
Example: She sacrificed her weekend to finish the project.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- give — Works in the sense of giving something up, though it is less precise and less specific than sacrifice.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Sacrifice
Meaning 2
a religious killing or offering
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act of killing an animal or person in order to honor or please a deity
Example: The ancient ceremony included a sacrifice to the gods.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- ritual killing — Matches this religious sense directly.
Meaning 3
something lost as a penalty
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake, fault, or failure
Example: He paid a heavy sacrifice for his carelessness.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- forfeit — Works as a close synonym in this penalty-related sense.
- forfeiture — A noun for the loss or giving up of something as a penalty.
Meaning 4
to give up or destroy someone or something for a purpose
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to kill or destroy, especially as part of a plan or to achieve a greater goal
Example: The commander sacrificed two soldiers to protect the unit.
Meaning 5
to offer something in a ritual
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to make a sacrifice in a religious ritual
Example: They sacrificed animals during the ceremony.
Meaning 6
money lost in a bad sale
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a loss involved in selling something for less than it is worth
Example: He sold the painting at a sacrifice.
Meaning 7
a baseball out that helps runners move forward
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a baseball out that lets runners advance
Example: He made a sacrifice to move the runner to second.
Meaning 8
something or someone given up for a goal
Part of speech: noun
Definition: people or things given up or lost to achieve an objective
Example: The mission required major sacrifices.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Sacrifice Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- give
religious killing or offering
- ritual killing
loss as a penalty
- forfeit
- forfeiture
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using sacrifice for every kind of giving or losing something. In English, it often implies a deliberate choice made for a purpose.
- Mixing the religious meaning with the everyday meaning of giving something up.
- Using the baseball sense outside baseball.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sacrifice mean?
Sacrifice usually means giving up something valuable for a reason, goal, or another person. It can also refer to a religious offering or a loss suffered as a penalty.
What is a simple synonym for sacrifice?
A simple near-synonym for the everyday verb is give, but it is broader and less exact. For the religious or penalty senses, words like ritual killing, forfeit, and forfeiture are more precise.
Is sacrifice always negative?
No. It can describe a loss, but it can also suggest dedication, purpose, or commitment when someone gives something up voluntarily.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.