Sacrifice vs. Sacrificer — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 4, 2024
Sacrifice involves giving up something valuable, while a sacrificer is the person who performs this act of relinquishment.
Difference Between Sacrifice and Sacrificer
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sacrifice typically refers to the act of giving up something of value, such as time, possessions, or personal desires, to achieve a greater good or fulfill an obligation. On the other hand, a sacrificer is the individual who carries out this act, embodying the role of giver or relinquisher in various contexts.
In religious contexts, sacrifice often denotes a ritualistic offering to a deity, involving objects, animals, or even self-denial. Meanwhile, the sacrificer in these scenarios plays a crucial role, actively engaging in the ritual and determining the nature and value of the offering.
In a broader social or moral setting, sacrifice can be seen as a metaphor for altruism or selflessness, where personal gains are foregone for the benefit of others. Conversely, the sacrificer is recognized as the agent of this altruism, directly impacting others through their decisions and actions.
Sacrifice might involve financial costs or foregoing potential earnings for higher principles or long-term benefits. The sacrificer, in economic terms, is often seen as an investor or a spender, whose sacrifices shape financial strategies and outcomes.
On a personal level, individuals make sacrifices daily, such as time or comfort, to achieve personal goals or to support loved ones. The sacrificer, in these intimate contexts, is viewed through their relationships and the personal costs they are willing to bear for the sake of others.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The act of giving up something valuable
The person who performs the sacrifice
Role in Context
The object or concept being relinquished
The active agent in the relinquishing
Typical Usage
Often used in religious, moral, and economic contexts
Usually refers to the individual making the sacrifice
Implications
Focuses on the item or concept given up
Highlights the decision and action
Perception
Viewed as a noble or necessary act
Seen as altruistic or heroic
Compare with Definitions
Sacrifice
Giving up something for the sake of other considerations.
Making financial sacrifices for one's children's education.
Sacrificer
One who relinquishes something valuable.
As a sacrificer, he donated a significant portion of his earnings to charity.
Sacrifice
A ritual offering in a religious context.
Ancient cultures often practiced animal sacrifices.
Sacrificer
A person who forgoes immediate benefits for future advantages.
The entrepreneur is a sacrificer, investing all profits back into the business.
Sacrifice
Foregoing personal comfort for a greater cause.
Sacrificing sleep during a charity event.
Sacrificer
Someone who incurs loss for strategic purposes.
The general was a sacrificer, deploying troops to distract the enemy.
Sacrifice
A strategic loss in sports or games to gain advantage.
Sacrificing a pawn in chess to control the board.
Sacrificer
An individual giving up personal comfort for others.
She was a sacrificer, working two jobs to support her family.
Sacrifice
Loss of immediate benefits for future gain.
Sacrificing leisure time to study for exams.
Sacrificer
A participant in a religious offering.
The priest acted as the sacrificer during the ceremony.
Sacrifice
Sacrifice is the offering of material possessions or the lives of animals or humans to a deity as an act of propitiation or worship. Evidence of ritual animal sacrifice has been seen at least since ancient Hebrew and Greeks, and possibly existed before that.
Sacrificer
The act of offering something to a deity in propitiation or homage, especially the ritual slaughter of an animal or a person.
Sacrifice
The act of offering something to a deity in propitiation or homage, especially the ritual slaughter of an animal or a person.
Sacrificer
A victim offered in this way.
Sacrifice
A victim offered in this way.
Sacrificer
The act of giving up something highly valued for the sake of something else considered to have a greater value or claim
Social activism often involves tremendous sacrifice.
Sacrifice
The act of giving up something highly valued for the sake of something else considered to have a greater value or claim
Social activism often involves tremendous sacrifice.
Sacrificer
Something given up in this way.
Sacrifice
Something given up in this way.
Sacrificer
Relinquishment of something at less than its presumed value.
Sacrifice
Relinquishment of something at less than its presumed value.
Sacrificer
Something so relinquished.
Sacrifice
Something so relinquished.
Sacrificer
A loss so sustained.
Sacrifice
A loss so sustained.
Sacrificer
(Baseball) A sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly.
Sacrifice
(Baseball) A sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly.
Sacrificer
To offer as a sacrifice to a deity.
Sacrifice
To offer as a sacrifice to a deity.
Sacrificer
To give up (one thing) for another thing considered to be of greater value.
Sacrifice
To give up (one thing) for another thing considered to be of greater value.
Sacrificer
To sell or give away at a loss.
Sacrifice
To sell or give away at a loss.
Sacrificer
To kill (an animal) for purposes of scientific research or experimentation.
Sacrifice
To kill (an animal) for purposes of scientific research or experimentation.
Sacrificer
To offer a sacrifice
The Greek warriors sacrificed to their gods.
Sacrifice
To offer a sacrifice
The Greek warriors sacrificed to their gods.
Sacrificer
To make a sacrifice
Parents sacrificing for their children.
Sacrifice
To make a sacrifice
Parents sacrificing for their children.
Sacrificer
(Baseball) To make a sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly.
Sacrifice
(Baseball) To make a sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly.
Sacrificer
Someone who sacrifices, one who makes a sacrifice.
Sacrifice
(ambitransitive) To offer (something) as a gift to a deity.
Sacrificer
One who sacrifices.
Sacrifice
(transitive) To give away (something valuable) to get at least a possibility of gaining something else of value (such as self-respect, trust, love, freedom, prosperity), or to avoid an even greater loss.
Sacrificer
A religious person who offers up a sacrifice
Sacrifice
(transitive) To trade (a value of higher worth) for something of lesser worth in order to gain something else valued more, such as an ally or business relationship, or to avoid an even greater loss; to sell without profit to gain something other than money.
Sacrifice
To intentionally give up (a piece) in order to improve one’s position on the board.
Sacrifice
To advance (a runner on base) by batting the ball so it can be fielded, placing the batter out, but with insufficient time to put the runner out.
Sacrifice
To sell at a price less than the cost or actual value.
Sacrifice
To destroy; to kill.
Sacrifice
(medicine) To kill a test animal for autopsy.
Sacrifice
The offering of anything to a god; a consecratory rite.
Sacrifice
The destruction or surrender of anything for the sake of something else; the devotion of something desirable to something higher, or to a calling deemed more pressing.
The sacrifice of one's spare time in order to volunteer
Sacrifice
(baseball) A play in which the batter is intentionally out so that one or more runners can advance around the bases.
Sacrifice
Something sacrificed.
Sacrifice
A loss of profit.
Sacrifice
A sale at a price less than the cost or the actual value.
Sacrifice
The offering of anything to God, or to a god; consecratory rite.
Great pomp, and sacrifice, and praises loud,To Dagon.
Sacrifice
Destruction or surrender of anything for the sake of something else; devotion of some desirable object in behalf of a higher object, or to a claim deemed more pressing; hence, also, the thing so devoted or given up; as, the sacrifice of interest to pleasure, or of pleasure to interest.
Sacrifice
A sale at a price less than the cost or the actual value.
Sacrifice
To make an offering of; to consecrate or present to a divinity by way of expiation or propitiation, or as a token acknowledgment or thanksgiving; to immolate on the altar of God, in order to atone for sin, to procure favor, or to express thankfulness; as, to sacrifice an ox or a sheep.
Oft sacrificing bullock, lamb, or kid.
Sacrifice
Hence, to destroy, surrender, or suffer to be lost, for the sake of obtaining something; to give up in favor of a higher or more imperative object or duty; to devote, with loss or suffering.
Condemned to sacrifice his childish yearsTo babbling ignorance, and to empty fears.
The Baronet had sacrificed a large sum . . . for the sake of . . . making this boy his heir.
Sacrifice
To destroy; to kill.
Sacrifice
To sell at a price less than the cost or the actual value.
Sacrifice
To make offerings to God, or to a deity, of things consumed on the altar; to offer sacrifice.
O teacher, some great mischief hath befallenTo that meek man, who well had sacrificed.
Sacrifice
The act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
Sacrifice
Personnel that are sacrificed (e.g., surrendered or lost in order to gain an objective)
Sacrifice
A loss entailed by giving up or selling something at less than its value;
He had to sell his car at a considerable sacrifice
Sacrifice
The act of killing (an animal or person) in order to propitiate a deity
Sacrifice
(sacrifice) an out that advances the base runners
Sacrifice
Endure the loss of;
He gave his life for his children
I gave two sons to the war
Sacrifice
Kill or destroy;
The animals were sacrificed after the experiment
The general had to sacrifice several soldiers to save the regiment
Sacrifice
Sell at a loss
Sacrifice
Make a sacrifice of; in religious rituals
Common Curiosities
Who is considered a sacrificer?
A sacrificer is someone who actively engages in the act of sacrificing something of value.
Can sacrifice be non-material?
Yes, sacrifices can be non-material, such as sacrificing time, effort, or personal comfort.
How is a sacrificer viewed in society?
Sacrificers are generally viewed as altruistic, heroic, or deeply committed individuals, depending on the context of their sacrifice.
What is the most common form of sacrifice?
The most common forms of sacrifice include time, money, and personal comforts or desires.
Is sacrifice always voluntary?
While many sacrifices are voluntary, some may be necessitated by circumstances or external pressures.
What is the difference between sacrifice and sacrificer in religious terms?
In religious terms, sacrifice is the offering made to a deity, while the sacrificer is the person performing or facilitating the offering.
What defines a sacrifice?
A sacrifice is defined as the act of giving up something valuable for the sake of other gains or obligations.
How is a sacrificer recognized in different cultures?
Recognition of sacrificers varies widely across cultures, often influenced by cultural values related to altruism and duty.
Are all sacrificers aware of their sacrifices?
Not all sacrificers are fully aware of the extent or impact of their sacrifices, especially in complex social or emotional contexts.
Why do people become sacrificers?
People become sacrificers for various reasons, including religious beliefs, moral obligations, or personal and familial commitments.
Can a sacrifice be detrimental?
While sacrifices are intended for greater goods, they can be detrimental if they lead to significant personal loss or imbalance.
What motivates a sacrificer to act?
Motivations for sacrificers can include altruism, duty, love, faith, and strategic considerations.
How do sacrificers balance personal and external demands?
Balancing personal and external demands involves careful consideration of personal capacity, the value of the sacrifice, and the potential benefits or obligations.
What risks do sacrificers face?
Sacrificers may face risks such as loss of resources, personal hardship, or negative social consequences.
Can a sacrificer refuse to make a sacrifice?
Yes, a sacrificer can refuse to make a sacrifice, especially if it conflicts with personal ethics or is seen as too costly.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
