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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Four causeways in the cardinal directions connect the mainland to a central plaza, which contains two sacrificial temples. Big Think, 1 Apr. 2026 So in 2018 Williams tried planting a massive trap crop of wine caps — a sort of sacrificial offering to the local deer. Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 25 Mar. 2026 The Mountain West men’s basketball tournament was due for an upset, and Boise State turned out to be the sacrificial Bronco on Wednesday night. Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026 To achieve high sensitivity, the team used a sacrificial template method to create microscopic pores in the sensor materials. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sacrificial

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sacrificial was in 1607

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Cite this Entry

“Sacrificial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sacrificial. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

sacrificial

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