self-abnegation

/'self,æbni'geiʃn/

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Word: Self-Abnegation

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Self-abnegation means giving up your own interests or needs to focus on what is best for others. It’s about putting others before yourself.

Usage Instructions:

• Context: You can use "self-abnegation" in discussions about personal sacrifices, charity, or moral choices. It's often used in more formal or philosophical contexts.
• Example Sentence: "Her self-abnegation was evident when she spent her weekends volunteering at the homeless shelter instead of relaxing at home."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, self-abnegation can be linked to concepts like altruism, selflessness, or even spirituality. It can be a central theme in literature, philosophy, or psychology, where individuals are analyzed for their motivations behind self-sacrificing behavior.

Word Variants:

• Self-abnegate (verb): To practice self-abnegation.

  • Example: "He chose to self-abnegate by turning down the promotion to help his team succeed."

• Self-abnegatory (adjective): Relating to or characterized by self-abnegation.

  • Example: "Her self-abnegatory actions showed her commitment to her family."

Different Meanings:

While "self-abnegation" primarily means putting others first, it can also imply a level of self-denial or asceticism, where one may renounce physical pleasures or comforts for spiritual or ethical reasons.

Synonyms:

• Self-sacrifice
• Self-denial
• Altruism
• Selflessness

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Putting others before oneself": This idiom captures the essence of self-abnegation.
• "Go the extra mile": This phrasal verb can imply doing more than what is necessary, often for the sake of others.

Example Usage in Literature:

You might find the term "self-abnegation" in novels or essays discussing characters who sacrifice their desires for the sake of others, often highlighting themes of love, duty, or morality.

Academic

Noun

1. renunciation of your own interests in favor of the interests of others

Synonyms

• abnegation
• denial
• self-denial
• self-renunciation