Synonyms for Sacrifice
Updated · Synonyms List editorial team
Quick answer: Finding synonyms for sacrifice helps writers convey the act of giving up something valuable for a greater good or another person. This list provides options ranging from formal terms like self-denial to casual phrases like cutting losses. Choosing the right word depends on the context of your story or argument.
Closest Synonyms for Sacrifice
- give up
- To voluntarily relinquish something, for instance giving up a favorite dessert to share with a friend.
- give in
- To stop resisting or yielding to pressure, such as giving in after a long argument ends the conflict.
- surrender
- To yield control or rights to an opponent, like surrendering a castle key to the victor.
- relinquish
- To voluntarily give up a right or possession, such as relinquishing a claim to an inheritance.
- forego
- To refrain from having something desired, like foregoing a vacation to save money for school.
- forfeit
- To lose something as a penalty, such as forfeiting a game by missing a shot.
- put aside
- To set something aside for later or ignore it, like putting aside old grievances to move forward.
- spend
- To use up resources, such as spending savings to buy a needed medical treatment.
- pay
- To give up something of value, like paying a high price for a lesson learned.
- pay back
- To return what was given, such as paying back a friend who lent money for rent.
- yield
- To produce or give up something, like yielding a field to a new crop.
Formal Synonyms for Sacrifice
- self-denial
- The refusal to satisfy personal desires, exemplified by self-denial during a strict fasting period.
- concession
- An act of yielding or giving something up, such as a concession to a rival team in sports.
- devotion
- Dedication to a cause, like showing devotion to a community by donating time weekly.
- offering
- Something presented to a deity or honored person, such as an offering of flowers at a shrine.
- donation
- Money or goods given freely, like a donation to a local food bank.
- yielding
- The act of giving way, such as yielding to a stronger force in nature.
- submission
- Accepting authority without resistance, like submission to a new rule set by a boss.
- contribution
- Something added to a cause, such as a contribution to a charity fundraiser.
- renunciation
- Formal giving up of rights, like a renunciation of citizenship to live abroad.
Informal Synonyms for Sacrifice
- cutting losses
- Stopping a failing effort, such as cutting losses when a business venture fails.
- taking a hit
- Suffering a setback, like taking a hit after losing a game.
- skimping
- Using less than enough, such as skimping on food to save cash.
- skirting
- Avoiding something difficult, like skirting the truth to avoid trouble.
- cutting corners
- Reducing quality to save effort, such as cutting corners on home repairs.
- missing out
- Failing to experience something, like missing out on a fun party.
- taking a backseat
- Letting others lead, such as taking a backseat in a decision process.
- going without
- Lacking something desired, like going without dinner to pay rent.
- skipping
- Avoiding an activity, such as skipping class to stay home.
- cutting back
- Reducing spending, like cutting back on coffee to save money.
Stronger and Weaker Words
- renounce
- Stronger than reject, used for formal abandonment of beliefs.
- donate
- Weaker than sacrifice, used for giving without great cost.
- forbear
- Weaker than sacrifice, used for holding back from action.
- offer
- weaker
- contribute
- weaker
- forsake
- stronger
- submit
- stronger
Antonyms for Sacrifice
- gain
- profit
- benefit
- acquire
- keep
- retain
- hoard
- save
- selfishness
- enrichment
How to Pick the Right Synonym
When selecting a synonym for sacrifice, consider the intensity of the action and the context. Use strong words like surrender for serious situations involving power dynamics, while softer terms like donation fit charitable acts. Ensure the tone matches your audience, choosing formal language for academic papers and casual phrases for stories about everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between sacrifice and give up?
Sacrifice implies a higher purpose or greater good, often involving significant loss, whereas give up simply means stopping or abandoning something without necessarily serving a noble cause.
Can sacrifice be used for money?
Yes, sacrificing money means giving up funds that could be used elsewhere, often to help someone else or achieve a long-term goal like saving for a house.
What is a synonym for sacrifice in a romantic context?
In romance, words like devotion or giving in work well, describing how partners might give up personal wants for the relationship or the other person's happiness.
Is sacrifice always voluntary?
Ideally, sacrifice is voluntary, but some actions feel forced due to duty or pressure. True sacrifice usually involves a conscious choice to endure hardship for something else.
