Sacrifice Meaning
Sacrifice Definition & Usage
To give up something valued for the sake of something or someone else.
Examples
- "She sacrificed her career to take care of her children."
- "In order to pass the exam, he had to sacrifice his weekend plans."
- "Many soldiers sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their country."
- "He sacrificed his personal comfort to help those in need."
- "I had to sacrifice my lunch break to finish the project on time."
An act of giving up something of value for the benefit of someone else or for a greater cause.
Examples
- "The priest made a great sacrifice for his faith."
- "Their sacrifice for the team was recognized in the ceremony."
- "The soldiers’ sacrifices will never be forgotten."
- "She made the ultimate sacrifice when she donated a kidney to her brother."
- "The company faced sacrifices during the economic downturn."
A ritual offering to a deity or higher power, often in the form of an animal or material possession.
Examples
- "In ancient cultures, sacrifices were made to appease the gods."
- "The festival includes animal sacrifices as part of its tradition."
- "The Mayans performed human sacrifices in their religious ceremonies."
- "Many religions have a history of ritual sacrifices."
- "He placed flowers on the altar as a symbolic sacrifice."
Cultural Context
The concept of sacrifice has existed in many cultures and religions throughout history. In many cases, it involves giving up something valuable or important for a cause or as a sign of devotion. In religious contexts, sacrifice often involves offering something to a deity, such as animals, food, or symbolic acts.
The Cost of Leadership
Story
The Cost of Leadership
James stood at the window, looking out at the vast cityscape below. He had always dreamed of leading his team to success, but now, it was clear that his vision came at a price. As the CEO of a startup, he had sacrificed countless nights of sleep, weekends with his family, and even his health to push the company forward. His wife, Maria, had often joked that she hadn’t seen him in years, but now, it felt more like a statement than a joke. He’d given up his personal life to achieve business goals. But the sacrifices didn’t end there. Just last week, one of his best friends, Ethan, had made the ultimate sacrifice to help him out of a financial bind. Ethan had liquidated his assets, pouring his life savings into James’ struggling company. It was a gesture of faith, of friendship—one that James couldn’t ignore. He owed Ethan more than anyone could repay. As James sat in his office, the weight of both sacrifices pressed down on him. Would his success be worth it? He thought back to the early days of the business, when they had worked together in a small office, sacrificing comfort for the dream of success. Those days seemed distant now, a distant memory of idealism. He couldn’t help but feel the cost of everything he had gained. In a meeting later that day, James made a difficult decision. He would offer his company’s shares to Ethan as a symbol of his gratitude. It wasn’t much compared to what Ethan had given him, but it was a sacrifice he could make—a small token of appreciation for the larger sacrifices others had made on his behalf. Walking out of the office that evening, James thought about the true meaning of sacrifice. It wasn’t always about grand gestures or losing something. Sometimes, it was about giving what you could, no matter how small, to acknowledge the sacrifices others made for you.
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