Definition

1. Noun:
   • Renunciation of one's own interests in favor of others: The act of sacrificing or giving up personal desires, comforts, or advantages for the benefit of other people.
   • The act of denying oneself; controlling one's impulses: The practice of restraining one's own desires, especially those considered indulgent or harmful.
   • The trait of practicing self-discipline: A personal quality characterized by the habitual exercise of restraint over one's impulses, emotions, or desires.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Her life of self-denial was dedicated to helping the poor.
  • Fasting requires a significant amount of self-denial.
  • He admired the self-denial it took for her to save money for her family's future.

Advanced Usage

• "Austerity and self-denial": Often used together to describe a lifestyle marked by strict simplicity and the rejection of luxury.
  • The monks lived a life of austerity and self-denial.
• "Practice self-denial": A common collocation describing the active effort to deny one's own wishes.
  • To achieve his goal, he had to practice self-denial in his spending habits.

Variants and Related Words

• Self-denying (adjective): Characterized by or involving self-denial.
  • She was known for her self-denying generosity.
• Self-abnegation (noun): A synonym often used in more formal or religious contexts, meaning the denial or rejection of one's own interests.
• Asceticism (noun): Severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.

Synonyms

• Abstinence: The practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something.
• Self-sacrifice: The act of giving up one's own interests or wishes for the sake of others.
• Temperance: Moderation or self-restraint, especially in eating and drinking.
• Forbearance: Patient self-control; restraint and tolerance.

Antonyms

• Self-indulgence: The act of allowing oneself to enjoy pleasures freely.
• Hedonism: The pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence.
• Greed: Intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth or power.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "The virtue of self-denial": Presents self-denial as a positive moral quality.
  • Many philosophies teach the virtue of self-denial.
• "A lesson in self-denial": Refers to an experience that teaches one to control their desires.
  • Budgeting on a low income was a hard lesson in self-denial.

Noun

1. renunciation of your own interests in favor of the interests of others
2. the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses
3. the trait of practicing self discipline