self-preservation
noun
self-pres·er·va·tion
ˌself-ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən 
1
: preservation of oneself from destruction or harm
2
: a natural or instinctive tendency to act so as to preserve one's own existence
Examples of self-preservation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The shocking death, motivated by Walt’s own self-preservation, marked the point of no return for the antihero character’s descent into pure villainy.
—
Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 June 2024
For Edek, who’s determined to make this solemn homecoming more of a jolly vacation, that severance has been a deliberate act of self-preservation.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 June 2024
Faced with 91 felony counts, Trump is a criminal suspect whose priority is self-preservation by self-pardon, the path to which runs through his presidency.
—Ritchie Torres, New York Daily News, 21 May 2024
What impelled you to put aside the instinct for self-preservation and risk your lives to take these cliffs?
—The Editors, National Review, 6 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-preservation 
Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 June 2024
For Edek, who’s determined to make this solemn homecoming more of a jolly vacation, that severance has been a deliberate act of self-preservation.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 June 2024
Faced with 91 felony counts, Trump is a criminal suspect whose priority is self-preservation by self-pardon, the path to which runs through his presidency.
—Ritchie Torres, New York Daily News, 21 May 2024
What impelled you to put aside the instinct for self-preservation and risk your lives to take these cliffs?
—The Editors, National Review, 6 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-preservation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-preservation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near self-preservation
Cite this Entry
“Self-preservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-preservation. Accessed 1 Jul. 2024.
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